Project 21A

Project 21A is one of the prominent initiatives of the Association for Parivartan of Nation, dedicated to upholding child rights and ensuring quality education for every child in Jharkhand. We are a passionate team of lawyers, activists, researchers, and educators committed to breaking down systemic barriers that hinder children from reaching their full potential. At Project 21A, we firmly believe that every child possesses unique talents and abilities that, when nurtured and supported, enable them to blossom into well-rounded individuals. Reaching their full potential means empowering children to develop intellectually, emotionally, and socially, so they can thrive and succeed in various aspects of life. Unfortunately, children from historically marginalised communities often face obstacles like lack of access to quality education, discrimination, poverty, violence, limited opportunities, and social exclusion, which impede their progress.

Our Mission:

At Project 21A, our mission is crystal clear – to utilise the power of law and strategic litigation to champion the implementation of various legislation related to child rights, including the Right to Education Act, 2009, particularly emphasising Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, 2009 which mandates private schools to reserve 25% of their seats for children from disadvantaged groups and weaker sections. Additionally, we advocate for the realisation of various other rights of children, as enshrined in laws and policies such as the Juvenile Justice Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. We address issues like child sexual abuse, trafficking, bonded labour, juvenile justice, and ensuring a safe and disabled-accessible space for children.

Our Inspiration:

Our inspiration stems from Article 21A of the Indian Constitution, and the principles and standards of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.

Intended Recipients:

We focus on historically marginalised communities' children, such as Adivasis, Pasmanda Muslims, Dalits, PVTGs, OBCs, students with disabilities, and economically weaker sections, who face multiple forms of discrimination and exclusion in accessing their rights and quality education.

Our Focus Areas:

1. Child Participation: We firmly believe that children are not just beneficiaries but powerful agents of change. In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we empower children to participate and influence decisions that impact their lives. We provide platforms for children to express their views and aspirations and facilitate interactions with parents, teachers, officials, and media. They become petitioners, represented by their legal guardians, in cases related to child rights.
2. Awareness: We understand that awareness is the first step towards change. To this end, we conduct various activities to raise awareness about child rights and quality education. Our efforts include door-to-door campaigns, pamphlet distribution, mobile awareness vehicles, and access to justice camps in underserved areas, street plays, surveys, and leveraging social and print media. We educate people about children's rights, including education, health, protection, participation, and development, and what constitutes quality education, encompassing curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, disabled-accessible infrastructure, and teacher training.
3. Community Engagement: For long-term sustainability, community engagement is crucial. We organise workshops, training camps, and meetings for parents, local leaders, and stakeholders to educate them about child rights and the provisions of the RTE Act. Collaborating with ward commissioners, mukhiyas, community clubs, government officials, and civil society organisations helps foster an environment conducive to the Act's implementation.
4. Child-Centric Strategic Litigation: Strategic litigation is a powerful tool for legal and social change. We meticulously select cases that can challenge systemic barriers preventing marginalised children from accessing their rights and quality education. By providing legal representation and support to affected children and their families, we aim to make a lasting impact. We actively monitor and follow up on implementing child-related legislation, court orders and judgments, filing PILs and writ petitions in the Supreme Court and Jharkhand High Court to secure an inclusive environment for marginalised children.
5. Target-Based Research: Our litigation strategies and arguments are grounded in research. We conduct comprehensive research on various aspects of child rights and quality education, analysing enrollment, retention, dropout rates, learning outcomes, discrimination, exclusion, violence, budget allocation, policy analysis, and best practices. Disseminating our research findings through publications, reports, and webinars helps inform the public and stakeholders.

How You Can Help: We invite you to join us in our mission to protect children's rights and ensure quality education in Jharkhand. Your support can make a profound difference. To learn more or get involved, visit our website or reach out to us at contact@parivartan.org. Follow us on social media for updates on our cases and campaigns.