Why every child in India deserves access to education

Despite decades of progress, limited access to education continues to impact children across both rural and urban India. Girls and children from marginalised communities, migrant families, and low-income households are among the most affected.

Education is more than a basic right. It is the foundation that shapes a child’s future. Let us explore the key stages of education, why each one is critical, and the barriers that prevent children from moving forward.

Why early education matters

Early education builds the cognitive, emotional, and social foundation for lifelong learning. When children have access to education from an early age, they are better prepared for primary school, less likely to drop out later, and more likely to achieve stronger learning outcomes.

Why primary education matters

Primary education is where children develop essential skills like reading, writing, numeracy, and critical thinking. It is also the stage at which they begin to understand their rights, find their voice, and engage with the world around them.

Why secondary education matters

Secondary education is vital in shaping a young person’s aspirations, skills, and confidence to take charge of their future. For girls especially, continuing education at this stage can be life-changing. It helps delay early marriage, leads to better health outcomes, expands future earning opportunities, and enables girls to make informed decisions about their lives.

Why higher education matters

Higher education equips young people with specialised knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and the confidence to participate meaningfully in the workforce and society. For many first-generation learners, it becomes a pathway to not only career progress, but also social mobility and a sense of dignity.

Barriers across these stages of education

Throughout early, primary, and secondary education, various interlinked challenges prevent children from accessing and continuing their learning:

Community barriers

• Poverty and economic instability that push children into work – Families facing financial hardship often depend on children to contribute to household income, leaving little room for schooling and prioritising immediate survival over education.
• Persistent social norms often treat boys’ education as a priority, while girls are expected to take on household duties or prepare for marriage.
• Early marriage and domestic responsibilities affecting adolescent girls – As girls reach adolescence, many are pulled out of school to handle household duties or marry early, limiting their education and future opportunities.
• Migration, conflict, and displacement disrupting learning – For children in migrant or displaced families, frequent moves and instability create gaps in education or prevent access to school altogether.
• Limited awareness among families about children’s rights and government programmes – A lack of knowledge about free education, scholarships, or support programs often keeps children from benefiting from the resources available to them.

Infrastructural barriers

• Lack of nearby Anganwadis or preschools – When early learning centres are distant or unavailable, young children miss out on crucial developmental years before starting formal school.
• Inadequate learning materials at AWCs or preschools – Lack of proper resources at these centres limits children’s opportunities for learning, play, and growth.
• Shortage of qualified teachers in schools – A lack of trained teachers and crowded classrooms reduces learning quality and the support each child receives, especially for first-generation learners.
• Poor hygiene in schools due to missing sanitation facilities – Without clean toilets, girls are more likely to miss school or drop out, especially during their adolescent years.
• Limited access to secondary and high schools – In many rural areas, the absence of nearby secondary schools forces children to end their education after primary levels, significantly restricting their opportunities for higher education in India.
• Safety concerns for girls who travel long distances to school – Long and unsafe journeys put girls at risk of harassment and violence, often leading families to withdraw them from school entirely.

How CRY UK is helping bridge the gap

CRY UK’s project teams support children at every stage of their educational journey, ensuring consistent and meaningful access to learning. By working closely with grassroots organisations, we focus on:

• Strengthening early education systems and Anganwadis – Enhancing infrastructure, providing learning materials, and training caregivers to ensure young children have access to quality early education.
• Enrolling out-of-school children into age-appropriate schooling – Identifying children who have never attended school or have dropped out, and helping them rejoin formal education.

• Preventing dropouts through academic support and community engagement – Providing extra learning support and guidance, and working with families to remove barriers that could lead to children leaving school.
• Supporting girls to stay in school by addressing early marriage and safety concerns – Working with communities to challenge harmful practices and create safe, supportive spaces for adolescent girls.
• Improving school infrastructure, sanitation, and learning spaces- Advocating for better facilities, clean toilets, safe classrooms, and inclusive learning spaces that support regular attendance.
• Collaborating with parents, teachers, and local authorities to uphold children’s rights – Raising awareness, enhancing accountability, and ensuring government education programmes effectively reach the children they are designed to support.

Conclusion:

Consistent, quality education at every stage equips children to build healthier families, stronger communities, and a more equitable society. Your support enables CRY UK to bridge the gap and provide every underserved child in India with access to education. Donate now to give underserved children the gift of education.