Opportunity School is a 52 year old school providing education to the underprivileged children living in and around IIT Kanpur campus. It came into existence because the children of people working as domestic help had no hope of getting education. It has progressed from 6 students and a Type-2 house to about 300 students and a block in Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Education to the underprivileged children is the only way to brighten their future through self-empowerment. And it is also the best way to eradicate child labour from society. The school has been functioning all these years by adhering to the principles of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. We try to help our children acquire skills, habits, and attitude to adjust well in the society.
At present the school runs classes from 1 to 8 and is recognized by the UP Board of Education. We are trying to go up to class 10 as many children, especially girls, drop out of school after class 8 because their parents are not prepared to send them to expensive schools outside the campus.
We have also started identifying individual talent and providing opportunity to hone them by inviting specialized teachers for dance, art, jewellery making, quilling, mehendi application.
Our students have also started acquiring computer skills, using an interactive science lab, and learning book craft and home science.