Besides economic challenges, a host of obstacles stand in a slum child’s way of moving ahead in their studies. Many children lead home lives that are detrimental to their educational pursuits, and their schools’ curriculums and teaching style are sorely lacking in quality. Municipal schools suffer from poor teaching quality, curriculums that promote memorization over understanding, and promotion based on attendance rather than performance. Moreover, fees are charged for students above 7th standard, often encouraging parents to remove their children – particularly girls – from school after finishing the 7th. Tuition classes were thus developed for students who are weak in particular subjects and would benefit from outside academic instruction, and to motivate students to stay in school. The theme is supportive education. Currently classes of standards 5-10 attend regularly, and Manav Sadhna has appointed special teachers for them. Volunteers also play a large part in teaching various subjects. Children are taught classes in Maths, Science, English, Social Studies, and arts and crafts. Special sessions in song and dance, using the library, and personal hygiene are also important parts of the curriculum. As with the other educational programs, excursions and educational field trips are a vital part of our activities.

Every afternoon, from 2-6 P: M, the children in standards 5-10 gather together for an afternoon of remedial education as well as fun and games with their peers.