Thar Education Alliance, together with Indigo Textile, UNDP (SDG Unit), and the District Education Department Tharparkar, recently distributed 80 bicycles at Government High School Malanhore Veena. These bicycles were provided to deserving female students facing transportation challenges hindering their attendance. The event saw attendance from various sectors, including district education, civil society, activists, journalists, and the local community.
During the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Thar Education Alliance expressed concern over the educational scenario in Thar, where over 0.3 million children are not attending school. Particularly high numbers of female students face obstacles due to schools being far from their villages and other issues. The distribution of bicycles aims to combat these challenges, ensuring consistent attendance and breaking societal taboos.
Tharparkar district grapples with one of the country’s lowest female literacy rates, exacerbated by factors like long distances to schools, cultural barriers, and safety concerns. Recognizing the urgency, the Thar Education Alliance (TEA) and Indigo Textile have joined forces to address this pressing issue through the “Pedaling towards Education” project. This collaborative effort aims to empower girls and foster a culture of learning in Tharparkar.
Assistant Commissioner Mithi, Riaz Ali Shaikh, highlighted the significant challenge posed by out-of-school children in Tharparkar and commended the efforts of the Thar Education Alliance. Krishan Sharma emphasized that empowering girls leads to self-reliance and inclusion in decision-making processes, boosting enrollment and addressing retention issues.
District Education Officer Narsingh Bheel, DSP Waqas Durani, Sushil Malani, HM Satram Das, EX-HM Ramchand Shivani, and other community members participated in the activity, expressing their support for the initiative. Female students who received the bicycles expressed their gratitude, stating that learning how to ride has empowered them and instilled confidence, and pledging to continue their education with dedication. The community emphasized the need for transportation for girls commuting from other areas.
