Just 50 metres from the World Health Organization’s Delhi office lies a slum that is home to nearly 10,000 people. It’s a place where basic necessities like clean water and healthcare are scarce. Until a few years ago, education was an afterthought.

But within this stark landscape, stories of transformation have taken root, led not by institutions but by the very children once written off by the system. Among them is Deepak Kumar — the first child from his entire slum to clear Class 12 board exams and gain admission to Delhi University.

And behind that journey is Pehchaan: The Street School.

A chalkboard and a second chance

Deepak was just a child when he first walked into Pehchaan’s informal classroom, a shaded temple space near the slum. At the time, he says, college felt like a fantasy. His father, a milk supplier to local tea shops, and his mother, a homemaker, barely made enough to get by. Education wasn’t discouraged, but it wasn’t prioritised either.

“The school is like my family,” says Deepak, now 19 and pursuing a B.Com (Hons) degree at Delhi University. “In my 10-year journey, it has become a very important part of my life. I attend school regularly, and this is where I received a lot of love, care, and guidance.”

He joined the centre in 2015 when the school was still finding its feet. Today, he’s not just a college student but a symbol of what’s possible when children are given the tools and the belief to rise.

“When I passed my 12th, I told my family, and their reaction was filled with joy and surprise,” Deepak recalls. “They knew I would pass, but they didn’t expect me to score such good marks — that truly made them proud and emotional.”

He scored 86 percent overall, including a remarkable 93 percent in Economics without formal tuition.

His CUET (Common University Entrance Test) results brought another wave of celebration. “When I got admission into a college, my parents were overwhelmed with happiness. It was a very emotional moment for them. They have always been very supportive of me and my dreams, and they continue to encourage me to achieve my future goals.”

“We’re not building a brand. We’re building a model.”

The street school began in 2015 with just five children. Its founder, Akash Tandon, then a young working professional, had grown frustrated with short-term social work.

© The Better India