A college dedicated to address social problems

Yamanurappa, a reporter with a prominent Kannada Daily, once worked as a wage labourer at a fly-over construction site in Bengaluru. Born in a small village in Raichur district, known as the most neglected part in north Karnataka, Yamanurappa credits his success to Baduku Community College in Bengaluru. He is not alone, many like him owe their success to this community college, which started in 2007 with an aim to produce employable youth participate in the social and ecological needs.

The college, run by an NGO Samvada, provides short-term courses to address young peoples’ aspirations for livelihoods by creating opportunities for them to enter and influence socially-critical professions. Anita Ratnman, founder of Samvada and the brain behind Baduku, said, “In 2007, I, along with Ishrat Nissar, Murli Mohan Kati and Janardhana Kesaragadda, decided to start a college for dropouts and underprivileged youth, providing free-of-cost education.”

She added, “A decision was taken to design the curriculum and courses in Kannada so that we connect with rural youth and provide them livelihood. Our curriculum is skill based, focusing on personal growth.” Ratnam informed that after every two years, we introduce a course that addresses societal issues. “Recently, we started a three-month Waste Management course aimed at conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Appreciated by Karantaka municipal corporations, 75% of our students are working on zero waste management.”

The college has four centres including, Centre for Creative & Critical Media, Centre for Transformative Education, Centre for Wellness and Justice and Centre for Youth & Sustainable Development. The college also provides full scholarship to 25% deserving students from low income families and rest of the students have a subsidised fee structure.

List of courses

1. 6-month sustainable farming and practices (Kannada)
2. 3-month Waste Management course (Kannada)
3. DIKSOOCHI: A three-month certificate course in career guidance (Kannada)
4. Learning Lenses: Three-month creative and critical teaching in higher education (Kannada)
5. Three-month Coaching for Women’s Wellness and Fitness (English)
6. One-year PG diploma course in Creative Media (Kannada)
7. Early Childhood Care and Education
8. Six-month Counselling for Women’s Wellness and Justice course (applications invited)