About Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), Mumbai

One of the best vocational adult education institutions in the country, Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) was established in Worli, Mumbai in 1967. The institution provides non-formal and vocational education to less fortunate adolescents. The Sansthan runs a project of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India. By linking literacy with vocational training, centres of JSS seek to improve the quality of life of the underprivileged mass.

Shramik Vidyapeeth, as it was formerly known, the organisation got renamed as Jan Shikshan Sansthan in the year 2000. In the beginning, JSS organised vocational training and skill upgradation programmes. Now with the National Literacy Mission, the Sansthan is covering almost the entire country and several JSS centres are being set up in different districts to consolidate the literacy campaign and enhancing the life of underprivileged mass through various vocational training courses.

The activities of Jan Shikshan Sansthans have been expanded to provide academic and technical support to Zila Saksharata Samitis (District Literacy Committees) in taking up vocational and skill development programmes in both urban and rural areas.

JSS has also been successful in transforming the lives of young girls rescued from trafficking and bar girls by providing them vocational education like tailoring and beautician courses. Jan Shikshan Sansthan’s main objective is to improve occupational skills and technical knowledge of underprivileged adolescents so as to raise their efficiency and increase their productive ability.

Smile Foundation’s partnership with JSS

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) partnered with Smile foundation in the year 2008 under Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) to expand their support to a large number of underprivileged youth. Today, JSS offers around 225 different vocational training programmes. The job oriented courses provided by Smile Foundation includes developing communication skills in English, retail management and computer education, which helps adolescents become confident for working in the private sector. As of now, 83 students have benefited from Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) and have got placement in leading companies like Café Coffee Day, Westside stores, Jumbo King, Aditya Birla Minacs, Reliance Web World, Bharat Kukadiya Company, The Loot Store, A.C. Mechanical store, HDFC call centre etc. A few others have started their own business.

The Founders

Padmashree Begum Bilkees Latif, the founder member of Jan Shikshan Sansthan, has been associated with the development sector since long and is the member of various government and non- government organisations.

She did it!

Sunita Balasaheb Kurat (21) is now a successful professional working as a Customer Care Executive with Aditya Birla group. Along with her strong will and keen efforts she was supported by Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) and Smile foundation under Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP). Sunita lives with her parents and three siblings in Dharavi, Mumbai. She Graduated in Arts from Mumbai University and was looking for a job, when a friend told her about STeP programme. Proper training improved her communication skills and knowledge of computers. Today, Sunita is not only employed, she is also supporting her sibling’s education.

Sunita who belongs to an underprivileged family residing in slums of Dharavi. Sunita is 21 years old. She has father, mother, one elder sister and two younger siblings in the family. Sunita completed her B.A from Mumbai University. Since her family’s condition was poor to support them was searching for a job. At that time her friend told her about the STeP course operational in JSS, Dharavi and she got full details about the course from JSS, Dharavi center.

Her English communication was poor before she joined the course. At the STEP centre, she got an opportunity to develop her personality and skills and was also facilitated a job in Aditya Birla, Minacs as a Customer Care Executive and earning 6600 per month. She wants to achieve growth in her career and provide comfortable life to her family members.