"Sustainable Education for Poor Tribal and Backward Children"
Asha-DC
funding of an existing high school over 3 years which draws children from the SALBONI area (50 villages, 20,000 population). The high school targets 70 girls and 80 boys. The funding requested is for teaching staff salary/training, books for a library, apparatus for a laboratory, furniture, and administrative costs. The proposal requests roughly $9000 over this three year period, but it can be modified by ASHA-MIT.
Village- Ghatsila, P.O. Ghatsila District- Singhbhum East State- Bihar 832303
INDIA- Jamini Kanta Mahato, Secretary Singhbhum Legal Aid Society Ghatisila - 832303 Dist. - Singhbhum East Bihar, INDIA Telephone 06585-25743 (office), 06585-25687 (residence)
FCRA, Registration, Account Info:
FCRA No- 031260030 (FCRA=Foriegn Contributions Regulatory Act) Society Registration Number- 285/84-86 make check payable to "Singhbhum Legal Aid and Development Society" bank account #3391, United Bank of India, Ghatshila
(for 3 years based on proposal recieved early May, 1997) Item Details Total in Rs. request in Rs. organization's ---- ------- ----------- from ASHA-MIT grants in Rs. ------------- -------------- 1. Teachers' 7 teachers 252,000 252,000 - Salaries x Rs. 1000/- 36 months 2. Library course/ 10,000 10,000 - books reading 3. Laboratory science 15,000 15,000 - apparatus 4. Furniture Wooden desks 10,000 5,000 5,000 50 x Rs. 200/- Almirah 24,000 15,000 9,000 (cupboard) 8 x Rs. 3000/- 5. Administrative 15,000 10,000 5,000 -------------- ----------- -------- -------- -------- TOTAL 326,000 307,000 19,000 N.B.- (i) budget is flexible and may be modified by ASHA-MIT (ii) The organization grants (mentioned above) will be raised locally, ex. wood for furniture and carpentry costs. (iii) Construction of a hostel for poor tribal children from remote areas can be discussed when an ASHA-MIT volunteer visits. (iv) "There is no political affiliation or interest in the project. The project is based on entire community of this area without caste creeds, political, and communal." TOTAL requested from ASHA-MIT- Rs. 307,000/-
3 years from start of funding
Objective- "Strengthening the Secondary Education of the poor children in the tribal area." 1. Background of the Project- The project area is hilly and forested, being populated mostly by "poor tribals and an economically backward community." These people are generally illiterate, yet some of them send their children to primary school. There are 20 primary schools in the area run by government funds, and the school currently run by S.L.A.D.S. is the only high school (secondary education) in the SALBONI area, covering a population of 20,000 in 50 villages. Due to a "serious financial crisis," the Bihar government is unable to fund secondary education and so the school is running wth the efforst of volunteer teachers, local people, and social workers. Due to lack of secondary educational facilities (especially in the project's area) children tend to drop out after primary education. A smaller number of economically well-to-do families send their children outside the project area for education, requiring them to stay in hostels. The poorer families cannot afford this expense. The school targets students (80 boys, 70 girls) from these families. The parents of these poorer families are labourers (agriculture, forestry) who earn daily wages, and they are mostly illiterate. The children targeted are the first generation of their families to be educated. The children are generally weak in their studies due to a financial inability to procure books, copy, uniforms, fees, etc. The school doesn't have a good library or hostel, and good staff since it is running without monetary support. Money cannot be raised from the local community since the "maximum average income" of the targeted familiy is Rs. 15,000-20,000 per year. 2. Specific Objectives- "(i) Improving the quantitative and qualitative development of the children in the school. (ii) To promote the meaningful constructive secondary education in this area." 3. Activities- "(i) Teaching staff will be trained for better quality of education. (ii) A good llibrary will be organized in the school in which course and reading books will be availed for the children and staff. (iii) A laboratory will also be organized for the children and staff for the development of science. (iv) Parents of the area will be made aware and motived to organize a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for promoting and strengthening secondary education in the area." 4. Duration- 3 years 5. Implementation- During the first year, the teachers will be trained for a short duration after which the teaching materials, books, and laboratory equipment, and furniture will be purchased. A workshop for the children's gaurdians will be organized (PTA) to raise importance of education in the area. During the second year of the project, a hostel will be constructed for the children who come from remote areas. 6. Estimated Impact of the Project- The project would introduce innovative programs in the area. These programs will serve as a model project within the area. The people have confidence that "they can proceed through education." The project will give a new life to the area and all aspects of development will be rooted through these programs.
Secondary education for 70 girls and 80 boys from 50 villages with ASHA-MIT contributing approximately Rs. 100,00 per year ($3000).
(Sri, May 5, 1997) This project seems to have a good justification, namely to educate students past the primary level in an area where secondary education is neglected by the government and the people of the area are not in a position to fund this education themselves. These students can emerge as leaders, presumably like Mr. Mahato who sent us this proposal and is contributing to the development of the region. A visit is required as usual, but we may have some problem with this. There are 5 leads I know of (see below). The fact that a school is running, albiet with many deficiencies, shows that there is a definite role that ASHA-MIT funding can play. One criticism is that the teacher training appears to be informal and not based on any standard format (like B.Ed.). --7/15/97 (see answer to question 4 below)-- While these people may not have access to anything else, it is important to know what exactly the situation with the teachers is. The initiative to involve the parents of the children in the area is great and it will hopefully lead to a relevant education for the children. Is this school serves as a model for the area we will have accomplished our goal of funding grass-roots organizations. Will Mr. Mahato serve as the principal of the school in effect? How will we ascertain that the kids are getting any sort of good education? Is it an issue worth considering at this time? Mr. Mahato's credentials suggest that we will be able to manage the school. Read the history of the project and some information about Mahato in the previous summary on SLADS. Besides the fact that Mahato is a lawyer, I see no particular reason to suspect anything political in the project. Aparna- Projects Meeting- 6 May, 1997 Proposal looks good. Everyone agreed that it was reasonable, focussed and in keeping with our goals. We need a visit to clarify some details and make sure the organization is legitimate. Hope to get someone soon (Ananya and DD, OP Agarwal??) Sri (7/15/97)- Another tid bit is that the school charges no tuition for the students and offers free tiffen (mid-day) meals. QUESTIONS- 1. If we do decide to fund them for 3 years, what happens after that? How do they plan to sustain themselves? 7/15/97- The high school was started in a government of Bihar scheme for secondary education which proceeds in three stages. They hope (pray) to recieve funding from the Bihar State Govt. after three year which will be the third stage of the scheme. In stage I, the government provides money for construction of a school. It grants recognition, without financing the operating costs. This is the stage they are currently in. Currently there are 1500 other high schools (over 53 districts!) in Bihar in the same situation (recognition/no funding). In stage II, the government gives some kind of block grants for various purposes. I could not catch what these block granst are for in the conversation/ In stage III, the government provides full support for the school. This is expected to occur in three years. However it is not certain as I gather. 2. What happens to the kids after they finish high school. A general idea of what they hope for. 7/15/97- The school is running with the Bihar state syllabus and will permit the students who complete theie secondary education to move on to higher education. 3. What are the other activities of the organization. Some idea of other deveopment projects they have been involved in. 4. They mention teacher training...details on what they mean by this. 7/15/97- JK Mahato said that the teachers have B.Ed. qualifications already. The training would involve sending these teachers to "good" (with emphasis!) schools in more developed areas (like Madras, Delhi) for short periods of time ( in order for the teachesrs to get some experience and bring these good methods back to the children in their school. 5. Is money being raised for legal aid? 7/15/97 (new question) 6. If the students are being fed free tiffen and the teachers are not being paid, who is bearing the operating costs? All of these questions can be answered during a visit. **WE NEED TO VISIT THIS PROJECT SOON** It looks like a good project and everyone in the projects group agreed that it looked like a project worth funding **but** we need a visit before we can approve the project.
Mr. Mahato responded to the Bihar Mailing Lists. This proposal is based on one he sent in response to ASHA-MIT's second letter.
31 Jan 97 - Letter from JK Mahato in response to Asha-MIT's "Bihar List" mailings. 17 Feb 97 - Summary by Premi 4 March 1997- Discussion at projects meeting 12 March 97- letter by Sri sent asking for detailed proposal. 5 May 97, this summary by Sri basing on Mr. Mahato's letter dated 4 April 1997 6 May, 97- Discussed in Projects Meeting. 9-15 July 97- several leads for project visits to this area were uncovered Vinay Kumar, Anurava Goswami, Ananda Sen Gupta 15 July 97- Sri called JK Mahato and spoke with him regarding the visit and to answer several questions that were raised during the project meeting They wrote back to our second letter 15 days back. We are yet to recieve it. 18 Sept 97- Visit report by P. P. Krishnan <anandkr@hotmail.com> (on the web) 1 Oct 97- Project approved at projects meeting for funding - three years as per proposal Nov 97 Asha-DC agrees to fund 1/3 of the approved amount (contact -- Lata Iyer <liyer@conservation.org>)
Sri phoned JK Mahato on July 15, 1997 and found out the answers to several questions, clarifications, and some information about visiting the school. Here is some info. The other info is in other sections where it is more relevant. Visitng- the school is in an area 18km from Ghatsila. Ghatsila is two and a half hours from Howrah (Calcutta) by railway. The Ispat Express
leaves Howrah at 6:00am and reaches the town by approximately 9:
00am.
to be discussed at Projects meeting (6 May 97) and followed up through a visit. Potential contacts for a Bihar visits- (1) O.P. Agarwal <opagar@mit.edu> (2) Rajaraman Krishnan <rxk@fns.com> (3) Anurava Goswami <agoswami@warren.med.harvard.edu> (4) Vinay Kumar <vkumar@ai.mit.edu> (5) Ananda Sen Gupta <ananda@alpha.dtix.com> APPROVED funding for three years as per proposal. The funding is to proceed in six monthly installments, contingent on recieving quarterly (every three months) progress reports from the school.
Devabhaktuni Srikrishna (aka Sri) <tenali@mit.edu>, May 5, 1997
*********Older version of SLADS Summary written by Premi*******:
GROUP- Singhbhum Legal Aid and Development Society ADDRESS- Singhbhum Legal Aid and Development Society GHATSHILA P.O.- Ghatshila - 832303 Dist. Singhbhum (East) Bihar State, India Phone - 91-6585-25743, 25687 Organization is registered under SRA by Govt. of Bihar Org. is registered under FCRA by Home Ministry, Govt. of India. Objectives- "The society strives to educate, organise and empower the rural poor, with special emphasis on women, to promote development as liberating force at social justice, economic growth and self reliance." Activities- "The present activities of SLADS could be categorized in four sectors- 1) Mobilising and strengthening local groups (People's organizations) in order to facilitate their articulation for betterment through awareness generation, women empowerment and struggle against exploitation, superstition, atrocities, advocacy etc. 2) Organising functional education programmes for rural deprived children, girls and adults for universalization of primary education and eradication of illiteracy. 3) Creating gainful employment opportunity through income generating programmes like agriculture development, social forestry and wasteland development for rural women and marginal farmers. 4) Facilitating rural reconstruction movement in the state to campaign in the interest of the poor and deprived." PROJECT- Education of the deprived & disadvantaged (particularly children & women) in Salboni village, East Singhbhum Bihar. Request for funding for a high school currently running without government support. LOCATION- Salboni village, East Singhbhum District, Bihar School serves an area of ~ 15 square kms. CONTACT- J.K. Mahato, Secretary, SLADS --- He is the person who replied. Singhbhum Legal Aid and Development Society GHATSHILA P.O.- Ghatshila - 832303 Dist. Singhbhum (East) Bihar State, India Phone - 91-6585-25743, 25687 Dr. L. Pandey, MA (LSW), MA (Pol.), PhD Hony. Chairman & Advisor Singhbhum Legal Aid and Development Society GHATSHILA P.O.- Ghatshila - 832303 Dist. Singhbhum (East) Bihar State, India Phone - 91-6585-25743 Residence -- 91-657-20179 (This is at Jamshedpur) FUNDING- ?? DATES- ?? DESC- "SLADS is running the JK Mahato High School. The school has been recognized by the Govt. of Bihar but does not receive any financial assistance. SLADS has appointed qualified, dedicated teachers but they work voluntarily without any pay. The school also due to paucity of funds, suffers from other infrastructure like hostel, good library, laboratory, play ground etc." They have requested help for this school. SUMMARY- ?? COMMENTS- Premi (17 Feb 97)-- We must check out if there is any political agenda involved. But otherwise definitely worth pursuing for further information. They have suggested a visit before "the next step could be chalked out mutually". Also do we want to take up a high school project as opposed to basic education? SOURCE- They responded to Asha-MIT's Bihar List mailings. HISTORY- 31 Jan 97 - Letter from JK Mahato in response to Asha-MIT's "Bihar List" mailings. 17 Feb 97 - Summary by Premi STATUS- Pending -- awaiting first discussion. DETAILS- 1) They have also sent four photographs. 2) ORIGIN of the organization- "Bihar is the 2nd most backward rovince of India. At the same time South Bihar region is the poorest part of the country because of its undulating topography traversed by hills, laterite, sandy hills, rainfed monocrop area prone to draught and mainly inhabited by aboriginal people. These people traditionally live in forest which used to provide them food, fuel, fodder, medicine and shelter. But illegal tree felling and timber trading by the contractor, forest officials, police, district administration and politician nexus has not only deprived these people of their basic rights on forest but also left them nowhere. Some of them used by the contractors for cutting trees were the worst sufferers as they were put behind the bar for this illegal work and not the contractors. Usually without trial they suffer in the jail in sub-human conditions. Mr JK Mahato collected informations about them and fought their cases in the court to get the due justice for these people. At the same time, Dr. L. Pandey - Director, Central Board of Workers Education, Ministry of Labour, Govt. of India - Jamshedpur Unit launched a programme to organise the unorganised labor force in the rural areas of tribal belt Ghatsila area. The main thrust was on group organization and help them to realise the strength of collective bargaining power. As a result of these efforts a school bldg. was sanctioned in Salboni village and the middle level school was elevated to the rural level High School by 1986-1987. In this way, the Singhbhum Legal Aid & Development Society was born. 3) Some issues & problems relating to education in the area- "Te poorpeople particularly the tribals are generally illiterates and they do not opt for education either for themselves or for their children. But due to change in their life styles (less dependency on the forest) and more as unskilled labour, they have come in contact with other people and a few of them gradually realised the importance of education and allow their children to go to school. But the girl child is neglected. The parents think it is useless to give education to girl child. Due to abject poverty many of the poor families can not allow their children to join the schools run by the government. Even some of them join the school but become drop outs after 2/3 years, because either their parents cannot purchase books etc. for the child or compelled the child to work to earn livelihood. Even if he allows children to go to school but cannot help in coaching them at home. As a result many of the childre stop going to school where they fail to keep progress to lessons in the school. It is found that hardly 15% of the children enrolled in class one could complete the primary education (class iv) Those who join the high school also fail to continue because of failure of purchasing books and other reading materials.