Hyderabad, July 29: Bus number AP9 TA 0638 is quite unique compared to its counterparts. It’s not about the numerological connotation but about the kind of work the vehicle is involved in.
While other buses are busy transporting people, this one is involved in imparting knowledge. A noble idea of educating underprivileged and street-children struck T L Reddy and hence the ‘School on Wheels’ started rolling. School on Wheels is a first of its kind project in the State taken up by T L Reddy where street-children are educated on a mobile bus.
T L Reddy, Director, School on Wheels, says that the programme is aimed at child beggars as well as street-children who don’t have access to primary education. “We tried to get these kids to join government schools but for various reasons it did not materialise. Hence, we came up with an idea of an accessible school for underprivileged children.” Launched in 2008, presently the bus travels to a few areas in Kukatpally limits and educates around 100 children of various age groups. An egg and a banana are also provided to the children. Each batch of children is taught for three hours after which the bus heads to another location.
A teacher himself and a recipient of several awards, T L Reddy says, “My main intention is to provide basic education to these children and prepare them to join government schools at a later stage. We have a staff of two teachers who teach Math, languages and other subjects according to the age group of the students.” The bus is decked up to look like a real school. There is a TV and DVD provision inside the bus where educational movies are screened regularly for the students. Various games material and clean drinking water are also available inside the bus. The children have been given school uniforms to get a feel of the school atmosphere.
“I have a lot of people to thank for having supported me in this mission. These include David Rowe of Friends of Christ Society in India who have donated the bus. Rotary Club of Jubilee Hills has been donating the dal and rice to the students and Niraj Public School has provided us with the all-important teachers.” Reddy plans to extend this programme to other parts of the city soon. Reddy shares that since he had a very tough childhood and studied under similar conditions, he understands the problems of street-children better.
Reddy asserts that he is just implementing what the Constitution says: “Free and compulsory education for all”.
–Agencies–