Education Empowerment

Dalit's all over India have requested that their children be educated in English-medium schools, recognizing that the greatest opportunities in Indian society are offered to those who have been educated in English, as well as their own local dialect.

Without an English-based education Dalit students can never advance to higher-level English schools or gain entrance to a Central Government University. All the Central Government-run high educational institutions use English as their medium of instruction. And all Central universities and medical schools teach only in the English language and admit students only through English language entrance examination papers.

Dalit's rarely have the opportunity to be educated in English medium schools. As a result, the educational discrepancy between the English-educated Brahmins and the illiterate Dalit's only serves to widen the socioeconomic gap between the castes.

Without education the Dalit children cannot take advantage of the opportunities to compete in the growing India and global economy. In response to the Dalit's quest for education, the All India Christian Council has begun building Dalit Education Centers throughout India. The long-term goal is to fund 1,000 schools for the Dalit's - almost 100 schools have been completed.

The Shimoga Project is partnering with the AICC to establish a school in the Village of Shimoga, state of Karnataka. Education is given to the children regardless of caste, creed or faith. This education is built on high academic standards and is based on human dignity and social equality.