Education at every stage plays a vital role in promoting gender equality and transforming the lives of individuals and communities. The Brickfield Schools Project, led by the Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre, demonstrates how sustained involvement and investment can uplift entire communities, creating a lasting impact for future generations.
The brickfields of West Bengal are home to migrant families who endure seasonal migration in search of work. They spend up to eight months each year in harsh conditions, often exposed to extreme heat while working in open-air factories making clay bricks by hand. Many of these workers have had little access to education. Their children frequently work in the brickfields or at home to help support the family. For most, education is not a priority.
The Brickfield Schools Project provides quality education in open-air classrooms, guided by a curriculum designed to meet the unique needs of migrant children. Despite the challenges of their environment, with a structured 25-week program, the initiative ensures that children receive a consistent, meaningful education.
By creating a supportive learning environment, the project helps break the cycle of illiteracy. A dedicated team of teachers work to create an engaging atmosphere tailored to the children’s needs. Teachers also participate in specialised professional development sessions to improve their teaching methods, leadership skills, and classroom management, ensuring the delivery of high-quality education.
A key focus of the project is to help children transition into government schools once they return to their home villages, ensuring they have the knowledge and necessary documentation to continue their education.
Beyond education, the project connects the community with essential services. Health camps address common issues such as vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition, while health awareness sessions educate families about hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention.
Parents have expressed deep gratitude for the education and healthcare their children receive. Many never imagined their children would have access to both during their time in the brickfields. By providing a curriculum that addresses the unique challenges faced by seasonal migrant children, the project is paving the way for brighter futures for these young learners.
Eleven-year-old Soniya spent long hours helping her parents make bricks under the scorching sun in a small village in Basirhat. For years, the family had migrated there seasonally, but in 2023, they decided to settle permanently, allowing Soniya to pursue the education she had always wanted.
However, adjusting to the local language and culture proved difficult, and Soniya quickly fell behind. That changed when she enrolled at a brickfield school, where a teacher worked with her to meet the standards required to enter a government school. Despite the language barrier, Soniya’s determination never wavered, and by December 2023, she had become fluent in Bengali and was excelling academically.
In March 2024, Soniya gained admission to the local high school. For the first time, she walked through the doors of a formal school filled with hope and joy. Soniya’s journey is a powerful reminder that dreams can become a reality with the right opportunities.
In the quiet village of Dhalitta, 25-year-old Kakuli lived a simple life. Despite modest means, Kakuli dreamt of a brighter future for herself and the children in her community. When the chance to become a teacher at the local brickfield school presented itself, Kakuli quickly accepted. Many of her students were first-generation learners, and their determination to succeed inspired Kakuli every day.
Driven by this newfound inspiration, Kakuli enrolled in a Diploma of Elementary Education at the local college. She was determined to further her education and develop as a teacher. Her steady income from teaching at the brickfield school helped fund her studies, while the work experience enriched her academic journey, deepening her understanding of early education and child psychology.
Late last year, Kakuli graduated, marking a proud moment for her and her entire community. Reflecting on her journey, Kakuli credits joining the staff at the brickfield school as the pivotal moment in her life. “It gave me not just the means to study but the knowledge to become the teacher I always wanted to be,” she says.
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