Free education and healthcare helping check dropout rates

Hyderabad:Free access to education and healthcare in low-income groups can make an impactful transformation in the lives of the needy. This was highlighted in a recent survey that proved that ensuring accessibility of basic facilities could reverse the dropout rates and increase savings of the people in slums, allowing them to lead a healthier lifestyle.

A survey conducted by the Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), which focused on areas like Errakunta, Shaheenagar, Pahadisharif, Jalpally, and Balapur and included 500 students and families—most of them migrant labourers or daily wage earners from Muslim communities.

The survey revealed that 80 per cent of parents, who enrolled their children in HHF's free primary schools also utilised the free comprehensive healthcare services that the foundation provided. This initiative has led to better health outcomes for children, including early disease detection and prevention, and thereby saving on medical bills.

For over 50 per cent of families, savings of `5,000 to `10,000 per month meant that they could divert funds towards necessities like food, rent and utilities, while 20 per cent used part of the savings to pay-off loans.

"Access to good-quality primary education and healthcare at zero cost has improved the financial wellbeing of low-income families by promoting savings and preventing financial shocks," said HHF’s Mujtaba Hasan Askari.

"This initiative, supported by SEED-USA, has played a crucial role in helping families come out of the cycle of poverty," he added.

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Key findings from the survey:

- 70% reduction in child dropout rates: Families saved up to `5,000 per month in education-related expenses, which translated into a 70 per cent reversal of child dropout rates.

- Savings of `5,000-10,000/month: Families reported saving a substantial amount on both education and healthcare costs, with 50 per cent of families saving `5,000 to `10,000 per month.

- Reduction in borrowing: Around 70 per cent of families reported a significant decrease in the need for borrowing, especially at exorbitant rates.

- Income stability: Over 68 per cent of families indicated that their income had stabilised due to the reduction of financial uncertainty created by education and healthcare costs.

- Improved child nutrition: A portion of the savings, approximately 10 per cent, was directed towards better child nutrition and clothing.