APNA Aapke Dwar RTE Campaign'21

APNA Aapke Dwar- Spreading the Right to Education
In early 2021, the Association for Parivartan of Nation (APNA) launched a series of initiatives under the banner of Project 21A for the Right to Education (RTE) Campaign. The campaign was designed to empower underprivileged families with knowledge about the 25% reservation in private schools for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as guaranteed under the RTE Act. Through a combination of door-to-door campaigns, basti and village camps, mobile outreach, and a helpline service, APNA reached thousands of families who had previously been excluded from such opportunities.

Through the APNA Aapke Dwar initiative, volunteers went door-to-door across marginalised localities, ensuring that no family was left behind in the fight for educational equity. Over 200 households were visited, with families being given clear and practical information about eligibility, documentation, and procedures for securing admissions.
One mother in Jagannathpur, shared her relief after a volunteer explained the process, “I had always thought private schools were only for the rich. When APNA volunteers told me that my son could study there for free under RTE, it felt like a door opening to his future.”

RTE Awareness Camps – Building Collective Understanding
To complement door-to-door visits, 18 awareness camps were organised in different Bastis and villages. These camps brought together more than 1,500 participants, including parents, local leaders, and teachers, to engage in open discussions about the importance of education and the provisions of the RTE Act. Jhari Linda, a ward counsellor who supported in organising one of the camps, remarked, “Parents here were hesitant and unaware of their rights. The way APNA simplified the legal language of RTE into stories and examples made people listen and understand.”
RTE Mobile Vehicle – Spreading the Word Far and Wide.

A brightly decorated mobile awareness van, equipped with a loudspeaker, travelled through crowded streets, weekly markets, and village squares. The van broadcasted short, clear messages about RTE, encouraging families to attend nearby camps and claim their children’s rightful place in private schools. Local shopkeeper Naushad from Pundag, Ranchi, who first heard the message from the van, said: “I had never heard of this law before. It was the announcement that made me ask questions. Because of that, my daughter will now study in a private school.”

Helpline Number – Guidance at Every Step
To provide continued support, APNA launched a toll-free helpline for families struggling with the admission process. Within months, the helpline had already received 500+ calls from parents requesting guidance. Many callers were connected directly with volunteers who assisted them in filling forms, gathering documents, and applying to schools. APNA organiser Faisal Abrar reflected, “Families often lose out, not because they lack the desire for education, but because the process seems too complicated. The helpline bridged that gap – it gave people confidence to act.”

The RTE campaign demonstrated that awareness is empowerment. By knocking on doors, gathering communities, amplifying voices through a van, and offering direct support via a helpline, APNA built a network of trust and knowledge. For many families, this was the first time they realised that private schools were not out of reach.