The state government may not perform its duties, but the schools do.

For, many Jamshedpur cradles have come to the rescue of needy children, who may have got the opportunity to study in reputed English medium schools, thanks to the right to free and compulsory education act.

Ever since RTE was implemented, schools have been waiting for funds. “The government did not disburse a single penny in the last three years, but we have been following the RTE provisions to a tee. The government is mum about the largesse promised,” said Paromita Roychoudhury, principal of Narbheram Hansraj English School, adding that the school then decided to help out the poor children.

“Since the students belong to modest backgrounds, we thought of helping them. They used to come in the same shabby dress everyday, so we arranged uniforms for them,” said Roychoudhury.

The Bistupur-based cradle donated uniforms, books, umbrellas and bags among the BPL students in the pre-primary level. At present, there are 12 children in LKG under the 25 per cent reservation quota of the RTE.

Also a junior library has been set up where these children get second-hand books used by senior students.

Besides, the school chooses Class XI students who in their turn teach these poor children who cannot afford tuition and are not groomed properly at home. The school has been doing this for the last two years.

“We select the eleventh graders after the first terminal examination because by that time we know which student can teach better. We are trying to provide all facilities to these children so that they do not lag behind others,” Roychoudhury added.

Like Narbheram, Hill Top School in Telco also helps the BPL children. “We do help the students with books and uniforms whenever parents request us. Though the government should have done this, the school is performing its duties,” said principal Puneeta Chouhan.