Grassroots Foundation has initiated a special project to support students who were unable to complete their 10th and 12th standard education due to financial constraints, family responsibilities, and other social challenges. Many of these students come from vulnerable and marginalized backgrounds where poverty, caregiving duties, migration, and lack of access to quality education and support force them to discontinue their education at a critical stage of their academic journey.

Dropping out at this stage often stems from a lack of resources, support, and continuous guidance. The program focuses on helping students prepare effectively for their board examinations and rebuild strong academic foundations. By re-engaging these students, the project offers them a second chance to complete their schooling and create clear pathways toward higher education, vocational training, or sustainable employment.

Education is not just a basic right; it is a powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion. By helping students complete their secondary and higher secondary education, this initiative goes beyond academic instruction. It plays a critical role in rebuilding students’ confidence, motivation, and sense of self-worth. Many of these students have faced repeated setbacks and discouragement. Through consistent mentoring and encouragement, the project helps them regain belief in their abilities and envision a more secure and independent future.

The primary activities of the project include enrolling dropout students into structured coaching programs conducted by Grassroots Foundation, providing subject-wise academic support, regular assessments, mentoring, and academic counselling. In addition, the project covers the necessary form and examination fees required for students to appear for their board exams. These interventions ensure that financial barriers do not prevent deserving and motivated students from completing their education.

Currently, the project supports students appearing for Standard 10th and Standard 12th across Science, Commerce, and Arts streams. The cost per student includes coaching, academic support, and board examination-related expenses. The estimated support required is Rs. 20,000 per student for Standard 10th, Rs. 40,000 per student for Standard 12th Science, Rs.30,000 per student for Standard 12th Commerce, and Rs. 30,000 per student for Standard 12th Arts.

While Grassroots Foundation has already extended support to as many students as possible through its limited internal resources, the number of students in need has grown beyond current financial capacity. As a result, external support is essential to ensure that no motivated student is forced to abandon their education due to lack of funds.

The intended impact of this project is to reduce school dropout rates, improve educational completion among vulnerable youth, and enhance their long-term employability and life outcomes. By enabling students to complete their board examinations, the project creates opportunities for further studies, skill development, and meaningful employment, helping them become self-reliant and support their families.

Through this initiative, Grassroots Foundation aims to create lasting change by transforming lives through education, empowering youth with knowledge, confidence, and hope for a better future.

A significant number of youth from low-income and vulnerable communities are unable to complete their 10th and 12th standard education due to financial hardship, family responsibilities, migration, and social challenges. These barriers force students to drop out at a critical stage, limiting their access to higher education, vocational training, and stable employment. Without secondary and higher secondary qualifications, many young people are pushed into low-paying, informal work, increasing their long-term economic insecurity and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

In addition, once students drop out, they often lack access to affordable academic support, exam preparation, and guidance needed to re-enter the education system. The absence of targeted re-engagement programs makes it difficult for motivated students to return and complete their schooling. This gap in support leaves capable youth without opportunities to improve their prospects, resulting in lost potential for individuals, families, and the wider community.