This means that nearly 60% of Mumbai live in slums with limited access to public services. The slums in Mumbai are spread all over the city and contain huge problems with regard to hygiene, education, public health and employment.

One of the most pressing challenges of this country is the educational challenge. 19% of children around the world live right in India. About a third of its population is below the age of 18 and about 74% of this population lives in rural areas. Approximately 188 million children attend the Indian school system, but there are also hundreds of thousands of children who are not attending school and are involved in child labor or domestic work. Of all children enrolled in school, 46% drop out before completing primary school and most of them are girls.

With a young population so vast, the challenges India faces in the world of education are remarkable and very different between rural and urban areas. In a megalopolis like Mumbai schools have a very high number of students, with 70-80 students per class. This leads to difficulties in offering individual attention to children in their education. Most children are compelled to attend paid tuition classes and children of poor families who cannot afford this additional cost are often forced to abandon their studies, thus giving up the possibility of a good education and a future qualified working career, which will help them move out of the poverty situation.

For more info: http://www.umanitanuova.org/en/testimonies-and-news/social-harmony-and-art-en-gb-1/1582-assistance-to-the-children-and-families-of-the-slums-of-mumbai.html

Source: UmanitàNuova.org