Despite what is claimed in government statistics, 40 to 45 per cent of children in the 6 to 14 age group are out of school in India, mainly because of the high dropout rate. The quality of education of the schools in the public domain is deplorable, and even basic competencies are not acquired by the time the child completes grade VIII (Public Report on Basic Education in India, OUP, 2000, New Delhi).

The situation with regard to literacy is equally bad, though the 2001 census lists the literacy rate as 65 per cent, the real literacy rate is likely to be somewhat less than 50 per cent. There is a rapid relapse to illiteracy due to dysfunctionality of the continuing education system.

More than 50 per cent of adolescent persons (those in the 11 to 19 age group comprising 21 per cent of the population) have either had no formal education or have dropped out before acquiring the minimum essential basic education (Report of the Working Group on Adolescents, Planning commission, Government of India, 2001)

The Trust recognizes this reality and education has indeed, been central to the task of grant making. The Trust has contributed substantially to the development of national Institutions which further educational and scientific research, while supporting smaller groups and NGOs that work at the grassroots providing innovative and empowering programs of formal and non-formal education.

In this sector the Trust’s projects focus on the following thrust areas: