SHALINI SAKSENA speaks with Jayant Rastogi about the importance of activity-based curriculum today

• What is the programme about?

We are one of the largest poverty alleviation programmes in India. We have   impacted more than 10 lakh children and young people in the last 20 years. The Childhood to Livelihood programme works with children and young people living in poverty, in India, taking them from a childhood full of challenges to a life with meaningful livelihoods. We equip children and young people in the age group of 12 to 18, with the skills and knowledge they need to grow up and move out of poverty.

Through our sports activity-based curriculum, we equip children with life skills, making them confident, resilient. Our youth-centred livelihoods programme connects the aspirations and potential of young people to available market opportunities. We build their employability skills and map job potential based on individual strengths and mobility.

• What is the impact it has had?

There was a 28% point’s increase in those attending school regularly, with 81 per cent reporting attending school five days a week at end line, as compared to 63% at baseline. In the programme, less than 5% of girls drop out of school by Class 8 (age 14). In India, 40% of girls drop out of school by Class 8 (age 14), 95% girls do not get married before the age of 18. In India, 30% of women were married before the age of 18, 79% of young people trained in the Magic Bus Livelihoods Programme are placed in salaried work with an average income of Rs 9700

• What are the challenges the youth face?

The challenges faced by young people today are lack of a quality education and a lack of job opportunities. Lack of proper sanitation in schools also leads to many girl children to drop off from the education system.

• What is the importance of activity-based curriculum today?

A sports activity based curriculum is important to equip children and young people with life skills they need to help them fight challenges in the communities they live in or to help them earn a better livelihood. Through a sports activity based programme, engaging children becomes easier. They are able to understand how to practically impart these skills in their real life situations. 

• What role can parents play?

The most important roles are played by the parents as they are the immediate support structures of the children. To ensure the change brought to each child is transformational, parents are the biggest participants in the programme.

• This not be balanced with theoretical studies as well?

It is indeed very important for every child to have strong academics. We can then be assured that the child is engaged in class, is productive and willing to regularly attend school and complete her secondary education. The Magic Bus programme ensures all participants complete their secondary schooling.

• What are some of the sectors where these kids find jobs?

Some of the sectors where the young people on our programme have been placed are:  IT enabled Services; Retail; Quick Service Restaurants; Hospitality; Banking, Financial Services and Insurance and Healthcare.