Jaano Apne Adhikaar!

APNA Apke Dwaar Campaign: “Jaano Apne Adhikaar!”

Between 5th January and 15th March 2022, the Association for Parivartan of Nation, in collaboration with Indus Action, launched the second season of the Apna Apke Dwaar campaign under the Project 21A in Ranchi District. The initiative focused on spreading awareness and facilitating admissions under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education Act, 2009, ensuring that “No Vacant Seats Remain.”

Through the establishment of 23 Shiksha Seva Kendras, parents were guided step by step in completing admission paperwork for their children. The campaign reached out to Ranchi’s marginalised families from rural areas, low-income households, and tribal communities who were often unaware of their entitlements.

“I never thought my daughter could go to a private school. The volunteers made every step simple for me,” shared Rajesh Kumar Mahto.

The event drew over 85 parents and guardians, many of whom were previously unaware of their entitlements. The event also saw the presence of local leaders, including Jhari Linda, Ward Councillor, Ward No. 35, who praised the initiative,

“For years, families in our ward have struggled with admissions because of a lack of awareness and bureaucratic hurdles. This camp gave them the confidence that education is their right, not a privilege.”

Similarly, the mother of Richal Gadi, who attended with her son, expressed her relief,

“When I first heard about the RTE scheme, it felt impossible because of the lengthy paperwork and opaque process. APNA made sure to help us in every step, and they simplified everything. They have my sincerest gratitude.”

Shiksha Seva Kendra: “Illuminating their future, empowering their dreams”
During this campaign, APNA established 23 Shiksha Seva Kendras between 6th February and 20th March 2022. These centres acted as free-of-cost service camps where trained volunteers helped parents fill out online forms, submit documentation, and understand the admission process under Section 12(1)(c). The initiative was more than a technical support hub- it became a place of reassurance.

Helpline Number: “One call away from help”
To strengthen outreach, APNA also introduced a 24/7 RTE helpline (9939979888) between 5th January and 31st March 2022. The helpline received over 300 calls during the admission season.
Parents called with queries ranging from eligibility criteria to technical glitches in online forms. Volunteers resolved 92% of queries within 24 hours. “When I called at 10 pm, I didn’t expect anyone to answer. But they not only picked up, they patiently explained everything. That gave me courage,” recalled Manju, a mother of two children from Ranchi.

Access to Justice Camps: “Empowering families, ensuring education”
From January to March 2022, APNA organised a series of Access to Justice Camps across the Ranchi districts. These camps provided families with free legal and administrative guidance to ensure their children’s rightful admission under RTE.

“For the first time, someone explained the law to us in our own language. We now know education is our child’s right, not charity,” said Aman, a participant.

Mobile Vehicle Drive: “Taking awareness to every doorstep”
Between 1st February and 10th March 2022, APNA ran a Mobile Vehicle Awareness Drive. The vehicle travelled to 35 locations across Ranchi, broadcasting information about RTE entitlements and providing printed resources in local dialects.

“The loudspeaker caught everyone’s attention in our village. We gathered around, and for the first time, we heard about a law that could change our children’s lives,” recalled Jameela Khatoon, a community leader.