Children are the future of our society. It is saddening to see the fate of millions of children of our country who do not go to school, due to some economic or social constraint. Founders of Apna School believe that every child has some or the other creative potential and are not touched by outward trivialities, hence they only need a platform to showcase their potential.
Keeping this in mind, Apna School was started on 7th March 2011 with 11 students, from marginalised section of the society like children of construction site workers, vegetable vendors, daily wage workers etc. This effort was greatly acknowledged by residents of Gamma-I, Greater Noida, and they too extended their helping hand in cooperation.
Given the social background of these children, they are unable to access the government schools. It is difficult for them to travel to the school and the parents do not have the time or inclination to take them on a daily basis. While the parents are away at work, the older child takes care of the younger siblings. The families keep migrating to different areas depending on the availability of work. These are the main hindrances for the children to access formal schooling.
Apna School reached out to these children in their own surroundings. They were collected in a space within 500 meters from their homes and taught. Supporting children in the age group of 4 to 14 years, the Trust opened centres where there were 50 children. Having started with 11 children in the C Block park in Gamma I in 2011, it has expanded to reach out to over 600 children in six sites in 2020. The minimum number of 45 students are studying at the Delta I centre while the maximum number of 163 students are at Pi II centre.
The six centres are presently located in Gamma I (C block park), Delta I (near petrol pump), Delta III (M-144), Pi I (Aichhar village), Pi II (near Kanshiram flats) and Surajpur (opposite Sonic World Mall).
In 2018-19, a centre was opened in Kasna with 65 students. However it was closed in the last academic year due to financial constraints.
The children are taught for two hours a day for five days a week. They are provided basic knowledge of Hindi, English and Maths. Besides providing quality education, it ensures their all round development.
The Trust has accreditation from NIOS and the children can appear directly for their class 5th and 8th examination. About 10 to 15 percent of the children pursue further studies after leaving Apna School.
In 2019-20, 18 children appeared for class 5th and one child for class 3rd examination through NIOS. Seventeen of them have passed whereas one student has to reappear.
The students are provided the summer and winter school uniforms, shoes, stationery, school bags and even a daily healthy snack. Twice a month they are treated to full meal at the centres. This year over 600 students were provided school uniforms.
Extra-curricular Activities
Different activities are organised in the centres every year - Republic Day, Annual Day on 2nd October, Foundation day on 7th March as well as sports day on 14th November.
Cultural activities
Sports Day
