Students of the bridge course presenting at the function held at the end of the course.

In rural areas, there are several reasons why children may not be able to have access to education. These include large distance between home and nearest school, responsibility for daily chores, weak financial situation at home and the responsibility of looking after younger siblings. In such situations, after several years if and when many of these children do get an opportunity to study due to a change in circumstances, they face the challenge of studying with younger children. This constraint makes them hesitant to join the mainstream school. In order to help these adolescent children, especially girls, Manthan conducts a bridge course of six months in which they catch-up with the required academics and prepare for the exams of the primary education.

A meeting between Manthan workers and parents of those children who study in the Bridge course.A meeting between Manthan workers and parents of those children who study in the Bridge course.

During this period of six months, the children stay at the residential school that is run for this purpose. In addition to the academic curriculum, these children are taught a lot of other skills and vocational courses such as stitching, embroidery, candle making, assembling and repairing of solar lanterns and carpentry. During this six-month period the children also learn to live with other children. They are also assigned roles and responsibilities related to the running of the kitchen, their living arrangements and mentoring of younger children by older ones. This facilitates their learning of useful leadership and administrative skills. Moreover, this enables them to develop a sense of belonging and ownership towards the school. This is extremely important because most of these children lack confidence and are nervous about the prospect of school education when they first arrive for studying in the bridge course.

A discussion between children who study in the bridge course and their parents at the function held at the end of the course.

At the end of the bridge course, a function is organised at the school where the parents of the children are invited to demonstrate the accomplishment of the children. More important than the showcasing of the competency of the children, this event serves as an important platform for the parents to appreciate the accomplishments of their children and encourage them to think about sending the children for further education. Discussions are also held between the Manthan staff and the parents to discuss the subsequent plans for continuing the children’s education.

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