Since 2009, DHARA has been actively working to provide non-formal education for children living in the urban slum areas of Jashore District. Recognizing that children in these marginalized communities often face barriers to accessing formal schools due to poverty, social exclusion, or lack of resources, DHARA established one room 10 non-formal schools within these urban slums.

Each school currently supports approximately 30 children from the local communities, offering lessons in basic literacy, numeracy, life skills, and awareness on health, hygiene, and social issues. The program is specifically designed to be flexible and context-sensitive, catering to the unique challenges faced by children in urban slum communities.

Over the 17 years from 2009 to 2025, this initiative has reached a total of 5,100 children, providing them with opportunities for learning that they might not have otherwise had.

A key feature of this program is the transition to formal education. After one year of learning in DHARA’s non-formal schools, children are prepared and supported to enroll in government schools, with guidance for parents, mentoring support, and coordination with local education authorities. This ensures that children continue their education and integrate smoothly into the formal school system.

Through this initiative, DHARA not only improves literacy and learning outcomes but also empowers children in the slum communities of Jashore to pursue their right to education, reduce dropout rates, and access opportunities for long-term social and economic development.