Education is the birthright of every child in the society. If due to any reason whatsoever, a child remains deprived of education in life, then he/she also develops into an uneducated adult and remains deprived of not just opportunities in life but also respect and dignity.
Though formal, academic education has its own need and importance, education, in its wider aspect, also means being aware of various programs being run by the Government for the welfare of the people. Education also means being a responsible voter, and a loyal, law-abiding citizen. Even if due to any circumstances, if one missed out to be formally educated, one can still take the first step and try to be literate and aware.
AEWS, being a Society run by educationists, understands this, and is committed to reach out to such people in the society to make them understand the times and need of the times. We educate them about the possibilities with basic education and encourage them to acquire it. Our experience shows that it is then easier to motivate them to get skilled as per their interest and capability. This further leads them to be better equipped for a respectable livelihood or, to enhance their employability.
- The Society proudly conducted workshops of more than 200 cumulative hours for the Retail Management and Information Technology programs for the aspiring and employable youth. These skill-based training workshops were in association with PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA (NSDC) and NATIONAL DIGITAL LITERACY MISSION.
- The Society achieved yet another milestone in fulfilling its mission by conducting Adult Matriculation and Higher Secondary Education drive in the factories of one of the leading footwear manufacturers M/s. Relaxo Footwear Limited in association with National Open School, now known as NIOS (an autonomous body under Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India
- The Society helped the organization in encouraging more than 500 male/female adult factory workers to enroll for the drive, who had left their studies and schooling incomplete due to various reasons – social, economic, health or other family issues.
- The implementation of the project included regular counselling sessions pre and post enrollment, conducting regular classes by providing experienced & patient teachers, and distribution of study material at the doorsteps of those enrolled.
- AEWS feels that spreading awareness about rights and duties is also an integral part of educating people. In that context, conducting general awareness programs about getting AADHAAR Cards for legal Indian citizens, importance of clean and hygienic environment and Swachchta Abhiyaan etc. as envisaged by the Govt. of India is also a regular activity at AEWS.
BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO
"Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" is a flagship program of Govt. of India to save the girl child and to empower her by educating her. That the government had to start a mission like that, itself shows that there’s real threat to the life of a girl child at the time of birth or even before. She’s also vulnerable to neglect and discrimination, especially in weaker and uneducated section of the society but certainly not restricted to that section only.
She continues to suffer even after marriage and struggles to find her own identity, even while sacrificing her own desires and aspirations for the sake of her family. In some families, even the educated ones, the situation is so grim that if a woman doesn’t bear a male child, she’s subjected to all sorts of humiliation and unkindness. So much so, she has to sacrifice her marriage on this account and sometimes…even her life.
In view of the prevailing circumstances about the girl child and women in general, the government has shown its commitment towards safeguarding her life and interests through Article 21 (Right to Live) of the Constitution and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation & Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994. Due to such measures and government programs there’s been positive changes in the society which shows in slight improvements in sex ration, and girls coming up well at all levels. Inspired by this, AEWS has also taken the following initiatives to be a part of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program and contribute towards a noble cause in nation-building:
- Organizing free workshops to educate people that girls are not burden, they are at par with boys, and better in many ways.
- Making them aware of the achievements of girls in every sector including defense. Also, about the strong provisions in law about sex-determination tests, feticide and gender equality
- Free education for girls
- Free Training Camps (or very nominal fees) exclusively for girls to impart skills to prepare them for employment, so that they can earn their livelihood as well as self-esteem. Some of these workshops are based on:
- Language Training (Spoken English Programs)
- Accounting based trainings
- Cutting and Tailoring
- Retail & Sales Management Programs
- Nursery Teacher Training
- B.Ed and M.Ed Degree Programs from Government & UGC Affiliated Universities and many more such educational and vocational programs.
ADULT EDUCATION
Learning knows no age, no criteria, and no other challenges…if one has the will to learn. If one is illiterate, one can be literate at any age; if one is literate but not formally educated, one can get formal education; if one is educated but lowly, one can enhance one’s education up to any higher level, there are ways and provisions. There’s a very large number of people in our country who’re adults and who missed the opportunity to adorn themselves with formal learning and education, but they’re willing and keen now to have the pride of being educated.
Adult Education Programs are generally continuing education programs for adults and older people who are older than standard high school or college goers. In order to gain new forms of knowledge, skills, qualifications, or values they come for such educational programs. We at AEWS provide continuing education to adults so that they can acquire formal education, qualification and society status. We focus on providing such adults with the following three types of education:
In Formal Education we bridge the gap through the help of various Public (Government) and Private Educational entities which have structured learning system and follow specific set curriculum and credits. AEWS has been associated with National Open School (An Autonomous Board under Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India) and many State Universities affiliated to UGC.
In such education we conduct training sessions based upon needs and requirements as per the latest demands, and help the aspirants meet market standards. These programs are not affiliated to any Board or University but based upon the latest industry and social demands, for example, Personality Development Programs, Computer Learning Programs in tune with Digital India Mission, Spoken English Programs, and Hospitality Industry based programs like - House Keeping, Front Desk and other such services.
Such education is very necessary to carry on the daily life chores in today’s time. Without this general education, information or awareness, an illiterate person or even an educated person who is not updated with what is happening all around, would find it challenging in many areas of day-to-day life. This situation not only makes one dependent but also vulnerable to various kinds of risks. AEWS conducts general education camps in the following functional areas:
- Making general public aware about Government’s New Schemes and Policies
- How to do general banking activities like filling of Deposit and Withdrawal Slips, etc.
- Disaster Management Program to create awareness, and to educate about what to do and how to do in critical disaster situations or natural calamities, without getting panicked.
- How to register FIR, imparting knowledge about general Traffic Rules and Rights protection
- Aadhaar Card / PAN / KYC – Meaning, Significance, and Benefits; How to be vigilant & protective about these crucial identity and financial instruments
- General safety awareness and tips on protecting homes and other establishments from gas leakage, short circuits and thefts etc.
- Making general public aware about importance of sanitation and health, the interrelation between the two, and about many more general day to day activities for a good, happy and healthy lifestyle
SEX EDUCATION
Sex is a natural phenomenon and it’s the gift of Nature to the mankind. In fact, not just humans, but all the species of the rest of the animal world too propagate and keep their species to continue to exist by way of this natural instinct and impulse. But unfortunately, man has mutilated the very spirit of the Nature through his meanness and mindless acts of sexual assault and abuse on his fellow beings, even irrespective of age, gender and relation. This leaves a scar for life on the one assaulted and a blot on the society, as the one who assaults is one amongst us only, and a member of the society. AEWS has been working towards educating people on sex and its related aspects and impacts – moral, social, and legal. Our focus is on the following three:
- A Kid is sexually assaulted/abused when he/she is forced to take part in any type of sexual activity, whether touch based or even non-touch based.
- AEWS organizes workshops for kids to make them aware about such acts of molestation and how to safe-guard themselves from such unwarranted acts of aggression
- We conduct seminars and workshops with our volunteers in pre and primary schools, and also organize open camps in various societies in association with residence welfare associations (RWA).
- AEWS firmly believes that imparting Sex Education to adolescents can help in curbing many problems prevailing in our urban and rural societies, which arise out of the unanswered and unsatisfied curiosity of adolescents about sex.
- We understand that access to comprehensive, medically accurate sex-education is the right thing for our adolescents that can help them grow into responsible adults.
- Adolescents are made to learn and appreciate the developmental changes in the bodies of both male and females. Acquiring healthy knowledge about sex can protect adolescents from horrific experience of sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Such education, which includes moral education too, can help adolescents be more sensitive towards sex-related crimes like Nirbhaya case of Delhi, and let them grow into cultured adults imbibed with moral values.
- A large part of population of India is either not aware at all, or it doesn’t take seriously the threat and risk of terminal diseases like HIV and AIDS which can transmit sexually due to unprotected sex.
- AEWS reaches out to adolescents, college goers and other adults among public to educate them about Sexually Transmitted Diseases to make them aware and be protective about their health and life.
