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I know there is a lot of variety to this, but I was wondering what other people's experiences were--how long do you think I can expect my 8-year-old sponsored girl to stay in school? I am worried about her getting a quality education.

And, is there any way I can specifically help her further her education?

Indian children are required to go to school through 10th grade (or until they reach a certain age--16, I think). Enforcement is spotty. And oftentimes even when parents want to comply, they can't afford required fees, school supplies, and clothing. That's one of the benefits of CI.

All students take annual exams around the beginning of January, which they must pass to be promoted to the next grade. (No "social promotion" like in the U.S.). Primary school grades are K-5; High school starts with 6th grade. Grades 6-10 are "lower secondary" grades. Grades 11 and 12 are optional, essentially college prep.

At the end of 10th grade, they take a big exam that determines whether they can go on to 11th grade. (Yes, it's the same system they use at Hogwarts. Young British wizards take OWLs; Bengali teens take the Madhymuk exam.)

If they continue to "Higher Secondary" school, at the end of grade 12 they take another required exam (HSE) that they must pass to continue on to college. (Like N.E.W.T.s)

Traditionally, Indian girls were married around the time they were 14 or 15. This practice is now illegal (legal marriage ages are now 18 for girls and 21 for men), but again, enforcement is spotty. One of my girls left the program to marry shortly before she turned 16 (she'd completed most of 10th grade); another sponsor has recently lost a 14 year-old.

You can provide money for "private tuitions," (the Indian term for "tutoring") very cheaply, and it's not subject to the minimum for SNG contributions. A year's tutoring for a primary school student runs $25-$70, depending on location and frequency. ($70 is what I pay for an urban child who is several years behind; $25 covers a rural child working on grade level. I assume the latter gets shorter, less frequent sessions while the former is working with a tutor several times a week or daily.)

If your 8 year-old is in 2nd grade or higher, they're probably OK for now. You can ask for an education report, and provide tuitions if it's requested. Or, if you plan to send a $100+ SNG, you can suggest that part of it be used for what I generally call "academic support," to avoid forcing them to get tutoring for a student who's doing fine.

Thanks so much! That info was really helpful. Just what i was looking for.

I am the sponsor that lost a 14 year old to marriage. She was an exceptionally motivated and strong student. She was at or above grade level, she had accepted tuitions so taht she could do even better and with that she was very blessed and did very well on all of her test. She married within days of turning 14 years old. I was very displeased as her family was aware that I wanted her to stay in school well; i did not say it outright but I attempted to make it as known as i could.. but she left.

On the other hand, i ended up paying the tuitions for her brother who is in XI grade.. he as the final exams to prepare for.. in fact.. he bought a copy of the practice test papers and my tutoring for tulasi was used with my permission for her brother.. for $35 he was able to get tuitions in two subjects geography and english, a copy of the practice test papers and one other item.. i was very pleased that at least he was continuing his education but angry that his parents chose to marry off their 14 year old daughter, remove her from school both of which are illegal, so obviously not enforced.

Jenkinsg did a lot to go through all the practical bits-- she knows more than I on that. I do certainly emphasize though that just because a law is on the books in India, does not in any sense guarantee that the law is being enforced.

An additional issue in India is that a lot of the parents of our CI kids (i.e. daily laborer/worker) did not go to school (or to very much) and many are functionally illiterate. Therefore they cannot help with homework (or may not understand the importance of homework), don't know how to navigate the world of education or how to advocate for their child's education, and may not truly understand where their child can go with an education.

That is why I feel it is VERY important to be a strong advocate of education for your sponsored child in India. Asking how school is going, what grade they are in, when they will take their exams and how they did on them will show the child and family that education is important to you (and hopefully if it is not already, become more important to them too).

Saba, my 12 year old was stuck in 2nd grade for three years. I had her a tutor but she still ended up repeating again. With my inquiries and continued donations for tuitions (tutoring) her parents switched her school (perhaps finally realizing something wasn't working well for her there). So the added interest and help on my part may have helped the parents pay more attention.

I also had a big issue with my 18 year old Khayrunnesha this year. She started school late, but has been doing well. She told me she wanted to go to college and get her Bachelors in Education. She was in 10th grade but failed to pass her 10th grade exams. She decided to quit school. The CI field officers visited her to try to get her to reconsider but she refused. Then I wrote her a letter, in which I told her my fiance Vivek (who also grew up in India) also failed an exam in highschool and had to repeat a year, and he was now a phd student. I told her we all have hard times and she should not give up on her dreams. She she did decide to try again, and will be studying throughout the year and re-taking the exams next spring. She also chose to do a tailoring course as well.

I think telling her about a a successful student in India who had to repeat a grade made her realize it is not that uncommon (It is not-- the tests can be very difficult and the quality of teachers quite varied). In India people would be embarassed about such a failure, and probably wouldn't go around telling everyone about it. But KNOWING that may have changed her idea of what it is like to be a student. (I think many lower class families in India also see education as an investment, and if a child isn't doing really well, then perhaps not worth the investment-- so they also need to be shown that some failures do not mean they should give up entirely on educating that child).

So I definately think that asking the child details about school and study will send a message that you value education. Also, offering to pay for tuitions, even for a child doing well on grade level, will give them an extra boost. (Most midle and upper class children in India have tuitions after or before school, even if they are doing well-- often times children cannot learn everything they need to pass the exams in class-- but that's a different post!)

Thanks again for the useful info. Ponyiq, I can only imagine the heartbreak you must have felt at losing your sponsored child to marriage so early. This is exactly the thing I want to try to avoid--but if that's what the parents want, what can you do? I will do my best to send signals that I am concerned about Mina's education and hope that the parents feel the same way.

Every letter to my little one in India touches on the importance of education. though I try not to be overwelming.