Ravi was 12 when he dropped out of school. Not because he lacked interest, but because he lacked shoes. Every morning, he would watch other children walk past his roadside stall in neat uniforms, laughing, carrying schoolbags. Ravi, instead, carried a kettle of tea to customers — working 10 hours a day just so his family could eat.

His story is one of millions in India, where dreams remain out of reach simply because of a lack of access.

The Right to Education Exists — But Not for All

India’s Right to Education Act promises free and compulsory schooling for children aged 6–14. Yet, according to government reports, over 30% of children drop out before completing Class 10.

The reasons are as heartbreaking as they are systemic:

• Poverty
  
• Lack of infrastructure
  
• Child labor
  
• Gender bias
  
• Early marriage
  
• Inaccessible schools in rural or tribal areas
  

And even when children stay enrolled, the quality of education remains a concern. Many rural schools lack basic facilities — no toilets, no electricity, sometimes no teachers.

Who Gets Left Behind?

Girls: Still pulled out of school during puberty due to menstrual stigma or safety concerns.

Children with disabilities: Face a lack of inclusive infrastructure and teacher training.

Marginalized castes and tribal groups: Often discriminated against, underrepresented, and forced into dropouts.

Urban slum kids: They live next to elite private schools but attend overcrowded, underfunded government ones.

Why Education Is More Than Just a Classroom

Education is not just about books and blackboards — it is a lifeline. A child in school is:

• Less likely to be exploited
  
• More likely to earn better
  
• More empowered to make informed life choices
  
• More likely to break cycles of poverty and social inequality
  

Every uniform, every pencil, every class passed — is a step toward a better future, not just for one child, but for society at large.

What Can We Do?

Support local NGOs working on child education and school re-enrollment.

Sponsor education for a child — school kits, uniforms, digital devices.

Advocate for policy change that strengthens teacher training, infrastructure, and curriculum.

Volunteer time and skills at low-income schools and community centers.

Ravi’s Turnaround

A kind stranger saw Ravi’s curiosity and helped him get into a night school. Today, at 17, he’s training to be a para-teacher — ready to teach kids like his younger self.

Because when one child gets an education, the ripple effects are endless.