The Forgotten Children of India

In a country that dreams of becoming a global superpower, millions of children still remain invisible—left behind by an education system that fails to reach them.

At Abhi Charitable Foundation, we believe no child should be denied the right to dream, learn, and grow. Through our outreach and educational initiatives, we aim to create awareness and inspire action to change the trajectory for these children.

The Scale of the Problem: How Many Are Left Behind?

Despite years of progress and policies like the Right to Education Act (2009), millions of Indian children still remain out of school. As per data from the National Statistical Office (NSO) and UNESCO, India has over 35 million children aged 6–17 who are either out of school or have dropped out at some stage.

Why Do Children Drop Out?

• Poverty and Economic Pressure: Children are often forced into labor to support families.
• Lack of Access to Schools: Remote locations and lack of infrastructure are barriers.
• Poor Quality of Education: Many drop out due to lack of interest caused by substandard teaching.
• Social and Cultural Barriers: Girls face early marriage or family bias.
• Lack of Parental Awareness: Uneducated parents may undervalue education.

The Consequences: A Cycle of Poverty and Injustice

When children drop out of school, they don’t just lose access to books—they lose access to opportunity, dignity, and self-worth.

The long-term impact includes:

• Limited job prospects and lifelong poverty
• Vulnerability to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking
• Increased risk of child marriage, especially for girls
• A repeat of the cycle, as uneducated parents raise uneducated children
• Loss to national development, as a large section of youth remains unskilled

Education is not just a tool for literacy—it is the foundation for empowerment, equality, and economic mobility. A child left behind today becomes a marginalized adult tomorrow.

The COVID-19 Setback

More than 247 million children were impacted by school closures. Many girls faced early marriage or domestic work.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted education in India. Prolonged school closures and the shift to online learning deepened the digital divide, leaving millions of children—especially in rural areas—completely disconnected from learning

A UNICEF report estimated that more than 247 million children in India were impacted by school closures, and many may never return. Girls, in particular, saw a rise in early marriages and domestic responsibilities during the lockdowns.

Government Initiatives – Efforts in Progress

• Right to Education (RTE) Act
• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
• NEP 2020
• Midday Meal Scheme
• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas

How Abhi Charitable Foundation Is Making a Difference

Real Stories, Real Change

Aarti: A 14-year-old from Madhya Pradesh who returned to school with scholarship support and dreams of becoming a teacher.

Imran: A 12-year-old who sold flowers at signals, now enrolled and excelling in school.

The Road Ahead: What Can You Do?

• Sponsor a child's education through Abhi Charitable Foundation
• Volunteer your time to teach, mentor, or counsel children
• Donate educational supplies or fund learning centers
• Raise awareness in your community
• Support skill training programs for older dropouts

Conclusion: Every Child Deserves a Future

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

At Abhi Charitable Foundation, we are committed to ensuring every child gets a chance to learn and thrive.