The Constable Free School is helping children in Delhi’s slums escape a life of crime and labor

To help children escape a life of crime and labor in Delhi’s slums, police constable Than Singh runs Than Singh’s Pathshala, where he teaches over 80 children to help them enroll in government schools Are.

When his parents left home for work, 10-year-old Ajay Ahirwal accompanied them on sightseeing tours across Delhi, where his father worked as a labourer. He was also engaged in household chores and his education was not taken care of. Three years ago, however, things began to change.

in fluent english, he says his name The Better India, “Madam YesEarlier I never went to school, but now I study in class 5. I study Social Science, Hindi, Maths and English. I like social science the most among all subjects and I aspire to become a police officer like my uncle YesAnd I will teach the children like them,” says Ajay, whose father works as a laborer at tourist spots.

Like Ajay, around 80 children from Delhi’s slums, who were earlier engaged in menial jobs such as rag-picking, are now able to read. This is the result of the efforts of Constable Than Singh.

How Than Singh’s School was born

Born in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, Than Singh himself grew up in the slums of Delhi along with two siblings. While his father ironed clothes for a living, he used to sell corn on the street as a child. But he never underestimated the importance of studies, he says.

“I will study in a school for a fee of Rs 3. My father wanted to become a police officer, but he could not. I wanted to fulfill his dream. I would avoid work and studies. In 2009, after two attempts, I cleared the exam for Delhi Police constable and was posted in 2010,” says the 34-year-old The Better India,

In 2013, his childhood memories came alive when he saw some children selling plastic bottles on the streets and picking up garbage near the Red Fort. “Many tourists used to come and click their pictures making fun of their circumstances, I hated to see that. These children were doing odd jobs for Rs 50 as their parents did not have enough resources to take care of them.

“Also, I found that these children had started eating Gutka (Betel nut). There are many people who influence children to walk on the wrong path, but very few people come forward to help them. I wanted to explore alternatives so that these children can do what they are supposed to do at this age – study,” he says.

While searching for a solution, the constable realized that it is difficult to get these children admitted in schools. “If you go to a school for admission of a 12-year-old child, ideally they should get admission in class 6 or 7. And for this they must know at least one book or at least read letters. But most of these children had never seen a school, and it was not possible for them to enroll in one,” he adds.

So two years later, he started a one-of-its-kind school known as Than Singh’s School To teach poor children for free.

“I volunteered to teach these kids so that they can be at par with their peers. For this I started meeting the parents. Police is the only section that reaches out to people irrespective of their socio-economic status and understands their problems.After meeting their parents, I convinced them not to worry about the kids and send them to us School,” He says.

“My main objective in teaching these children was to prevent them from committing crimes in future and to inculcate good manners in them,” he adds.

class of 80

Starting with four children in 2015, today Than Singh teaches more than 80 children at Raj Ghat, Vijay Ghat, Shantivan, Red Fort. iron bridge (Old Yamuna Bridge).

Every day, children between the ages of 3 and 15 come to the Sai Baba Mandir located in the Red Fort parking area, where Than Singh and his group of volunteers await them. Several battery rickshaw owners have volunteered to take these children from their homes School, He informs.

Classes begin at 3 pm and end at 5:30 pm, and the school is open on all days of the week including Sundays. The school functions through donations from various stakeholders and with the help of 50 volunteers. “We get everything from donations – food, uniforms, books. We don’t take money,” he says.

Last year, with the help of DCP Sagar Khalsi, Than Singh was successful in getting around 70 children enrolled in government schools. “Though these children have started school, they come to us to clear their basics so that they can perform better in school and not feel inferior to their peers. Ten of my children have topped the school,” he says with a proud smile.

“I want to give a good environment to these children as their parents go to work and there is a chance that they may wander on the streets. That is why we keep teaching them after school. Also, when Other kids found out they could get admission by studying with us, so more and more kids started coming,” he adds.

Talking about managing the work along with teaching the kids, he says, “There are no fixed working hours for a constable. We work 24 hours. But if you want to do something, you have to make an effort for it. since my posting School In one place, I am able to do both,” he says.

“There is no peace for these children other than working. With a little help, I can be the reason for making a difference in their lives. What could have been better for me? he asks.

Edited by Divya Sethu