Thirteen-year-old Rahmat Ullah never thought he would be able to go to school as he has to earn money for his family. However, he was unexpectedly given the opportunity to do so in September last year, when he was enrolled in Odhikar Pathshala.
The son of a rickshaw-puller father and domestic help mother, Rahmat Ullah has been working as a conductor on a human hauler for more than three years now due to the poor financial condition of his family.
Odhikar Pathshala is a project being implemented by the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), with funding from the Education and Development Foundation (EDUCO) in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
The school has three branches- at Nobodoy Housing, Lautala, and Rayer Bazar – and currently teaches 300 students, including 128 boys and 172 girls. The majority of the children are transport workers or domestic help.
The ESDO authorities conducted surveys in the three areas before inaugurating the school, and selected the 300 students from among 456 children who had dropped out of school to work.
Project Director Md Kamal Hossain said: “We run the school in two shifts. Those joining the morning shift work in the afternoon or evening, while the reverse is true for the other shift.”
The school has a provision which allows the students to complete each grade up to grade III within 6 months, but the final two years of primary (grade IV and V) require a full calendar year each.
In addition to schooling, Odhikar Pathshala also organizes medical campaigns for the students and is set to start providing counselling services with the assistance of the department of clinical psychology at Dhaka University (DU).
EDUCO specialist (child labour) Afzal Kabir Khan said: “We are in talks with UCEP to provide vocational training to at least 30 students after they finish their primary schooling, and if they are at the age of 15.”
Abdul Mannan, head teacher of the Nobodoy housing branch, said: “We feel their trust when we see the students approaching us for help with any problem that might be ignored by their family.”
Inspired by his experience at the school, Rahmat Ullah said he wishes to one day own a human hauler of his own, and to employ a child like himself.
“I will ensure education for the child, as well as a safe workplace so he never has to face verbal or physical abuse,” the 13-year-old said.
“The school is giving me the opportunity to complete grade V in three and a half years. After that, I may be sent for vocational training, and can become a professional driver,” he added.
