As the Archaeological Survey of India undertakes conservation work on a massive scale drawing a large migrant workforce, senior ASI officials have come up with a unique initiative. As part of the body’s social responsibility, informal schools have been started for the labourers’ children.

Most labourers are drawn from Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and live in makeshift tents in the monument premises.

“These labourers migrate with their family. To keep their children engaged, we decided to start these schools at the heritage sites. We have provided them stationery and uniforms as well,” said KK Muhammed, superintending archaeologist, Delhi Circle, ASI. Officials are conducting classes at Safdarjung Tomb, Tughlaqabad and Balban’s Tomb and Najaf Khan Tomb.