Action Education in South Asia

Action Education operates in South Asia through its projects carried out in India, amongst the most vulnerable children, young people, families and communities. 

The context of intervention

Key points

• In South Asia, Action Education’s current projects are centred on India.

• Despite rapid economic growth, poverty and inequality remain widespread.

• Children from marginalised communities, girls and children from migrant families are particularly at risk of dropping out of school.

• The main barriers to education are poverty, the costs associated with schooling, a lack of infrastructure, a shortage of qualified teachers, language barriers, discrimination and internal migration.

• Action Education works to promote access to education, educational continuity, training, inclusion, peace education and education in the context of migration.

Educational progress in India remains uneven

India has experienced significant progress in terms of school enrolment. Many children who would have been excluded from school a few decades ago are now able to enter the education system.

However, starting school does not always guarantee continuous schooling or a solid education. In some rural areas, deprived urban neighbourhoods or marginalised communities, children still face many obstacles : poverty, a lack of infrastructure, discrimination, child labour, internal migration, or difficulties in following lessons in a language they do not always have a good command of. 

Rural areas often lack adequate infrastructure, such as schools, classrooms and sanitation facilities. Even where schools do exist, many suffer from a lack of resources and poor conditions. The shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in remote areas, exacerbates the problem. 

The quality of education: a key issue 

The quality of education is also affected by inadequate teacher training, low pay and low motivation. These difficulties have an impact on the children: overcrowded classrooms, limited support, fragile learning, and a gradual decline in attendance.

Language barriers also hinder learning, particularly for marginalised children who may not be proficient in the language of instruction. A child may therefore be attending school but be unable to fully understand what is being taught.

The main barriers to education in India

The barriers to education vary from one region and community to another. They are often linked to a combination of several factors.

Social and gender discrimination

Social and cultural factors, in particular the discrimination on the grounds of sex, early marriage and child labour limit access to education for many children, particularly girls.

In India, girls and women remain a particularly vulnerable group. Patriarchal norms perpetuate gender discrimination, restricting girls’ access to education and economic opportunities.

These prejudices often result in higher school drop-out rates for girls, early marriages and the confining of women to domestic roles, thereby limiting their independence. In remote areas, geographical challenges and inadequate transport infrastructure further restrict access to schooling, particularly for girls, and widen the education gap.

Internal migration and school drop-outs

India is facing a major wave of internal migration. Known as « forced migration », it is mainly caused by poverty and unemployment, and is on the rise due to environmental problems.

According to the 2011 census, 37 % of the Indian population are internal migrants who leave their villages to find work, particularly in the construction industry, in major urban centres.

Exploited and abused by shameless men, they are usually treated as slaves. Their children are usually denied an education and put to work from a very young age.

These migrations make schooling very precarious. When a family moves, a child may lose their school, their sense of belonging, their official documents or their connection with their teachers. Educational continuity then becomes a key issue.

Crises that exacerbate children’s vulnerability

Climate change

India ranks amongst the countries most affected by the impacts of climate change, as cyclones and floods are recurring disasters that result in significant losses of life, livelihoods and infrastructure (Germanwatch, 2021).

These disasters can to destroy schools, displacing families, exacerbating poverty and disrupting children’s education. When a family loses its home, income or land, education can take a back seat.

Internal conflicts and social tensions

Internal conflicts in India create profound societal, economic and governance challenges. These conflicts trigger humanitarian crises, which disproportionately affect communities marginalised by violence and displacement.

This leads to economic disruption, including damage to infrastructure and a decline in investment. Social divisions along ethnic, religious or caste lines deepen, undermining social cohesion.

To resolve these issues, there is a need for comprehensive conflict resolution, peace-building efforts and inclusive development, as well as the promotion of peace education to foster community reconciliation.

Since 2014, civil society in India has faced increasing challenges due to legal changes and increased government scrutiny.

Why Action Education operates in India

In response to the various crises identified, Action Education is developing projects to support the most vulnerable communities in accessing quality education, which fosters resilience and adaptability and is essential for understanding one’s rights, defending them and exercising one’s citizenship.

Our work in India is based on the belief that education can break the cycle of poverty, empower people, prevent exploitation and give children the means to build their own futures.

The aim is not simply to facilitate entry into school. It is also to support educational continuity, improve learning outcomes, strengthen the role of families and communities, and provide support for the children whose educational pathways are most vulnerable.

Our areas of intervention

​Action Education’s main areas of focus in India are:

• Access and quality of education ;
• Health education ;
• Life skills education, training and integration into the labour market; ;
• Education for sustainable development, peace and global citizenship ;
• Early childhood education ;
• Education in emergency and post-emergency situations ;
• Education in the context of migration.