Why SLATE in North-East Delhi ?

The establishment of SLATE happened in the aftermath of the devastating 2019- 2020 Delhi inter-sectional disturbances that brought insecurity amongst the neighborhood due to communalism. Shiv Vihar, majorly a Hindu dominated locality where the Muslims were tragically forced to form a ghetto.

In Ghetto, after class 5-6, most of the children leave their studies and start working. The biggest reason for this is Systemic religious discrimination and mental harassment that prevents them from going to a government school outside their area and economically, they are not able to pay enrollment and monthly fees in the market of private schools and parents also become indifferent due to their own experience.

They are unable to reach the door of regular schools and colleges. Students who want to study are forced to get their degree only through correspondence. A large population of the generation coming from correspondence education has not only become isolated from modern education but the quality of education is at its low level.

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​​The biggest challenge is the isolation of the ghetto population (especially the next generation) from the mainstream education system. Most of the private schools in this area are providing compromised and under quality education. Poor schooling, limited resources and a mixed environment of socio-economic discrimination are a major obstacle in reaching any achievement psychologically. As a result, their access to normal jobs is often very limited or not accessible at all. Due to which they become dependent on widespread unemployment or informal work with low wages. Which traps the next generation in the never-ending cycle of poverty and dependence.

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​​We are fortunate to come from an academically privileged community. Engaging students’ minds in the whole process means they are learning how to learn and how they learn. They are learning more about themselves and their world, and ultimately developing a sense of security and belonging. Therefore, it is also a responsibility and an opportunity for us to interfere in their condition for educational betterment by making our academic contribution.