DEVELOPMENT ACTION SOCIETY

EDUCATION

Empowering the Future, One Child at a Time

At Development Action Society (DAS), education has been the cornerstone of our mission since the very beginning. We believe that education is the most powerful tool to uplift disadvantaged communities, break cycles of poverty, and nurture future leaders. Our journey began with first-generation learners, and today, they lead by example—guiding and inspiring the next generation of young learners in their communities.

Key Initiatives Under Our Education Program

Zero Tolerance Towards Child Labour

With support from the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) and government agencies, we have mainstreamed nearly 6,000 children previously engaged in labour. Through school enrolment, vocational training, and intensive awareness campaigns, we continue to prevent and reduce the incidence of child labour in vulnerable communities.

Residential Schools for Girls

Safety and education of girl children are among our highest priorities. In collaboration with the Sarva Siksha Mission and the Government of West Bengal, DAS operates residential schools for over 200 girls. These schools offer a secure learning environment, especially for children of working parents, and play a crucial role in preventing child marriage, trafficking, abuse, and child labour.

Early Childhood Care and Preschool Education (0–6 Years)

Our early childhood centres offer integrated child development services, including:
• Age-appropriate learning for children below 6 years
• Health and nutrition education for mothers
• Pre-natal and post-natal care support

Over 10,000 children and their mothers have benefitted from these services, which contribute to reducing malnutrition, promoting early learning, and improving maternal and child health.

Our Impact

Over the years, DAS has reached more than 14,000 children, mainstreaming them into education systems across our operational areas. We support children from early childhood (age 3) to 18 years, facilitating their education journey through:

We also operate 10 dedicated education centres that provide alternative and remedial education, aiming not just at enrolment, but ensuring sustained retention and holistic development of every child.