Varsity launches course for domestic helpers

Future house-maids and domestic helps in Maharashtra will be equipped with basic education, work skills and hygiene to enable them carry out their tasks more efficiently. At least, that's the plan.

The Yeshwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) launches a unique course designed for domestic helps starting July 15 and already has taken over 400 students on the rolls, said varsity spokesperson Shrinivas Belsaray here Sunday.

"The course is aimed at helping them overcome professional hassles they encounter mainly due to lack of even basic education. It will be conducted through four YCMOU centres in Mumbai, Aurangabad, Nashik and Hingoli for a nominal fee of Rs.300, including all learning material," Belsaray told IANS.

Already, there are several welfare associations of domestic helps which are engaged in various productive activities for their members, many of whom face difficulties due to lack of awareness and education, said YCMOU registrar Prakash Atkare.

YCMOU Vice-Chancellor R. Krishnakumar took a decision to initiate this unique course for the domestic helps from the current academic year, Atkare said.

Among welfare associations for domestic helps are Vidarbha Domestic Servants Union and Nashik District Domestic Servants Union, which are collaborating with the YCMOU to facilitate and popularise the course among their members.

The one-year course in English, Marathi and Hindi will cover language and communication skills, health science, mathematics, general knowledge and small-scale training, each carrying 500 marks, Belsaray said.

"The students will be taught to speak polished Marathi, Hindi and understand English, including basic conversation. They will also be taught home remedies, first-aid, cleanliness, hygiene, food components, caring for the ill and elderly. There will be five papers of 100 marks each. A minimum of 50 percent will be required for getting a certificate," Atkare said.

According to official estimates, there are over a million domestic workers in Mumbai, a majority of them women from various age groups. They hail from parts of Maharashtra, and northern and southern states and try to make a dignified living in the city.

Depending on the kind of work, a casual domestic worker can earn an average of Rs.1,000 per household, while the much sought after full-timers can take home around Rs.6,000-10,000 per month.

A few helps, who are well-trained and semi-educated, can command anything between Rs.12,000-15,000 per month and are mostly employed in small companies, factories or corporates.