Education is one of the essential tools that impart knowledge and it’s the right to every child. Abject poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities causes trickle-down effect on the mental and physical growth of children, who drop out of schools and discontinue their education. CASA ensures overall development of children by giving them an opportunity to study again at CASA’s Bridge schools – thereby ensuring child rights. We believe that every child has the RIGHT to receive the best that society can offer. Children need to grow in an environment that enables them to lead a life of freedom and dignity where opportunities for education and training are provided to grow into worthy citizens.

The Child Welfare and Education Programme (CWEP), is a CASA initiative in Tamil Nadu. The components of this programme, such as Bridge Course Centers, Vocational Skill Training, and Supplementary Education programmes have provided children with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed academically and also helped them gain self-confidence and stimulated their interest in studies. The programme has had a positive impact on the lives of children and their families, and it is essential to continue such programmes to provide education and welfare to vulnerable children.

Bridge Course Centers:

The Bridge Course is designed to allow dropout school children to take informal classes for one year as a bridge into the formal school system. It is an alternative method of helping them learn with creative activities. Non-formal education, holistic and generally more innovative than its formal counterpart, aims to stimulate and sustain the interest of the learners, which requires flexibility and a great deal of imagination.

It is a unique approach to education that involves children in fun activities and provides a curriculum similar to the school syllabus. The programme is designed for school dropouts, providing them with the option to enroll in non-formal education for a year before entering the normal school system. Our Bridge school centers provide the children with the opportunity to experience the school atmosphere, get nutritious food, and catch up with the school syllabus. Apart from regular curriculum, children also get the opportunity to participate in extra and co-curricular activities. The outcomes of the programme include the improvement of the children's health, enhancement of their interpersonal and communication abilities, and stimulation of their interest in school.

Vocational Skill Training:

The Vocational Skill Training programme is aimed at enhancing the skills of boys and girls who have dropped out of school and are above the age of 15. The programme has helped enhance the self-confidence of the girls & boys and the skills transmitted would help them gain self-employment. Eg : Computer classes, Tailoring classes etc.

Supplementary Education:

The Supplementary Education programme provides additional educational support to school-going children in operational villages. The programme helps children succeed academically and also inculcate ethos and values in the children in their tender age. It offers extra after-school instruction and provides an opportunity for the children to take part in extra and co-curricular activities. The programme aims to keep children in school and offers direction to concentrate on their education, especially first-generation learners. The programme has helped children improve in studies, and special attention to weak students has paved notable results.