Illiterate women now get skills to take on the world

Around 130 Gender Resource Centres under the city government have been spearheading a ‘silent revolution’ by educating and providing job-oriented training to a large number of women from the poorest and vulnerable sections of the society, said chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday.

These centres have joined hands with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for the first time this year as a part of Samajik Suvidha Sangam (Mission Convergence). As many as 4,200 learners have got themselves registered so far.

“Education opens doors of progress and prosperity and overcomes darkness of illiteracy by making people enlightened. Further, educating a woman facilitates educating entire family,” Dikshit said.

According to government records, over 12,000 learners benefit from the educational services provided by these centres across Delhi every year.

“Mission Convergence contacted underpriviliged women to provide basic education to them and turn them into literate individuals,” she said.

A GRC member said, “These women were not even able to read bus numbers and had to request others to operate their bank accounts and write their applications.

After education, there’s a sea change in their attitude.”

The GRCs have been providing opportunities to women and girls above 15 to gain basic education and skills. But there are no provisions for formal assessment and certification.

“Many girls have applied in different schools to get admission in class 3,” added the member. Dikshit gave them NIOS class 3 books on environmental studies, Mathematics, basic computer skills and Hindi language.

“These learners will have the option to join different vocational training courses requiring minimum eligibility qualification of class 5 or 8,” said the member.