Mylapore Tuition Center
BACKGROUND
Pallakku Managar (or P. M. Nagar) is a colony of Slum Clearance Board tenements in Mylapore, where the activities of a residents’ association present a shining example of a proactive and participatory community.
The catalyst for social change here is a youth association called Thiruvalluvar Pathasalai Sangam, formed more than 10 years ago by a group of youngsters, with primary education as their core focus.
Most children in the slum go to Corporation Schools, where the standard of education is below average, to say the least. There is thus a striking need for supplementary education of some kind. Also, the “drop-out” phenomenon is quite common, with children discontinuing education either due to financial constraints, or because their parents would rather send them to work.
The Sangam provides such children with support to continue their schooling. Their mission is to ensure that no child stops his or her schooling for want of financial resources. The tuition center they have set up thrives with activity, with classes conducted every evening. Educated people from the community are encouraged to come forward and handle classes, for a nominal salary.
DIYA’S INVOLVEMENT
Diya joined forces with the local youth association in early 2006, and we have been working closely with them ever since. The partnership has been extremely fruitful, having thrown up major benefits to the tuition center and to the larger cause of primary education within the community.
Follow the links below to learn more about Diya’s work in P. M. Nagar:
Weekend extra-curricular sessions – 2006-07