Sunderbans school livelihood initiative boosts student retention rate

Swapnopuron Sikkha Niketan in West Bengal's Sundarbans has been training students' mothers to stitch garments and create bandhini-inspired clothing to help women earn sustainable livelihoods locally.

Supported by corporate social responsibility contributions and donors, the NGO-led initiative provides practical training, sewing machines, and market access to more than 250 women.

According to KSWS director Satarupa Majumdar, daily breakfast and lunch alongside mother livelihood training have helped increase student retention to nearly 74% and attendance to 90%.