Underprivileged
children of Hari Nagar get a new lease of life
Smile Foundation in partnership with Ina Raja Memorial
Education Trust (IRMET) is addressing the basic education and nutritional
needs of the school-going children from socially and economically disadvantaged
backgrounds living in the vicinity of Hari Nagar in West Delhi. It is
a Mission Education project of Smile Foundation where 50 per cent of the
students are girls.

About the project
The Ina Raja Memorial Education Trust is a non-formal
school setup for the under-privileged children studying in the government
schools of Hari Nagar and adjoining areas. The children enrolled in government
schools are given special classes after the school hours. The centre has
a good library with about 2500 books on children as well as arrangement
for indoor games. The students engage in at least two or three public
events related to theatre, music, arts and public speaking. In the last
few years, special importance is also given on the nutrition of the children.
The educational programme runs in three shifts: from 1p.m to 3.p.m in
the afternoon for students from Class I to V, from 3 p.m to 7.p.m for
students from Class VI to X and science class from 7 p.m to 8 p.m for
girls and 8p.m to 9 p.m for boys.
 
The main objective of the project is to provide proper education and health
facilities to the indigent children. IRMET ensues that all the teachers
appointed at the centre are professionals, hold a B.Ed degree or have
undergone Nursery teachers training course. It is ensured that every child
sits through the National Open School Examinations. The literacy programme
not only focuses on quality education but also on many other aspects like-theatre,
dance, music, art, craftwork etc. The project intends to give a holistic
approach to life. IRMET leverages the records kept by the state run school
system to measure the impact of the programme.
Target group
Underprivileged children of government schools and school drop-outs in
the age group of 3-15 years
About the partner
The Ina Raja Memorial Education Trust (IRMET) was established
on January 29, 1997 in memory of Ina, the daughter of IRMET Founder
Dr. Raja Ram. Ina passed away in 1996. Dr. Raja Ram’s family decided
to start a library in her memory, but later decided to impart quality
education to underprivileged children. Later, many others also joined
them and the Ina Raja Memorial Education Trust came up. Today after 9
nine years, IRMET has 80 students on its rolls and is looking forward
to reach out to all the needy children in the locality. Over the last
five years, IRMET’s students have increased by about 40 per cent.
About 25 per cent of IRMET students secure the top five positions in their
formal school and have excelled in the Class X and XII Board exams. Many
ex-students of the centre, who have benefited from the project now want
to give back and are thus volunteering to teach the students.
Focus on:
- Non-Formal Education for students from Class I to Class X
- Music, art & craft & theatre classes.
- Nutritional programme
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