A recent survey by the Education Department in Karnataka reveals a worrying trend—9,326 children dropped out of schools across the state in 2024–25. In Bengaluru alone, 3,852 children have left school, with migration emerging as a key cause. Families frequently relocate to cities in search of better livelihoods, destabilizing children’s education.
To address this, Sampark has been offering Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through 26 community-based centers. These centers serve as safe, structured spaces where migrant children can access education, nutrition, and health care within informal labour colonies.
In 2023–24, Sampark tracked 831 children who migrated out of 20 ECCE centers. Of these, 603 did not return, but 228 rejoined after moving back to the city. Their return was driven by the trust parents placed in these centers—knowing their children are safe, cared for, and learning while they’re away at work. The centers’ engaging, play-based activities also encourage children to stay motivated to learn, even amid frequent displacement.
One powerful story is that of Jyothika, a migrant child whose family moved from drought-affected Jammaldinni to a labour colony in Bangalore. Left alone in a shanty while her parents worked, Jyothika’s early years were filled with isolation and uncertainty. Her life took a turn when a compassionate teacher from a Sampark ECCE center convinced her parents to enroll her and her sister.
At the center, Jyothika received food, care, and her first exposure to structured learning. Her teacher, Prema, became her role model, inspiring her to pursue education. Despite losing her father and enduring the disruptions of COVID-19, Jyothika completed Class 10 with 83% marks, finished Class 12, and is now pursuing nursing—determined to open a free clinic for the poor in the future.
Jyothika’s story reflects the larger struggle faced by thousands of migrant children in India, whose education is interrupted by the cycle of relocation and economic hardship. Sampark’s ECCE model aims to break this cycle by offering consistency, care, and developmental support during children’s most formative years.
To date, 66,000 migrant children have benefited from Sampark’s ECCE programs. The organization has also facilitated the enrollment of 6,071 children into government schools, ensuring continuity in formal education.
The centers are run by trained childcare professionals who offer 360-degree developmental support—nutritious meals, hygiene education, immunization awareness, and structured, activity-based learning. This comprehensive approach not only supports individual children but also creates a mindset shift among migrant parents, helping them recognize the value of early learning and consistent school attendance.
By anchoring education within migrant communities, Sampark’s ECCE centers offer more than just learning—they offer stability, dignity, and opportunity. The goal is clear: to make education the most transformative tool in building a better future for India’s most vulnerable children.