Progress Report T.E.A.C.H Project
March 2005 to July 2005
Girls Interest Centre Shiv Mandir Complex, Village Tughlakabad Delhi-110044
By ABHAS
Action Beyond Help And Support A-201, Yamuna Apartments, Alaknanda New Delhi-110019 Phone-91-11-26001930, 9312636975 E-mail-abhasindia@softhome.net
T.E.A.C.H Progress Report By ABHAS
1
Progress Report For T.E.A.C.H
March 2005 to July 2005
Introduction
The T.E.A.C.H project supported by ASHA Stanford is helping in developing the skills and confidence of adolescent girls and their mothers to participate in the development of their community and demand for their rights through community participation. The project module of integrated education (Education with Vocational Trainings & life skills) is giving them the opportunity to take part effectively in their future roles as adults. The project is helping to mainstream the drop out girls, make never enrolled girls to complete basic education, support and motivate girls to complete higher levels of education and empower them to access livelihood opportunities by skill and capacity building through vocational and life skills program. To achieve the desired goals ABHAS had also approached corporate and was successful in mobilizing financial support from HPS Social welfare foundation to partially fund the initiative. While ASHA Stanford is providing support towards setup and part rent of Girls Interest centre, vocational training in appliqué work and computer literacy for girls, the HPS Foundation is supporting other components like Tuition classes for school going girls, Linking 25 drop outs adolescent girls with National Open School and salary of staff and administrative cost to support the program. This project is a pilot initiative of ABHAS for developing a sustainable integrated education module (education, vocation and life skills), which will contribute towards promoting Girls education and hence the reduction of gender disparity in education, especially in urban slum which can be replicated on a larger scale by involving other partners.
Project Planning
ABHAS had a presence in the community since 2002 when it began working in the area on various programs promoting education especially for girls. Since we were familiar with the area it was easy for us to identify a place in the community for setting up of the Girls Interest Centre. The centre is located inside the
T.E.A.C.H Progress Report By ABHAS
2
Tughlakbad village, near the girl’s primary and secondary school and is easily accessible even from the main road. The centre is located in the temple complex, which is owned by the temple trust. One of the reasons of selecting the place was also garnering support from the local community since community leaders are members of the trust. The centre has three rooms, one lobby and a large open verandah. As soon as we received a letter of grant support for the project from ASHA Stanford we finalized the rent agreement for the centre with the trust and took the possession of the place in March 2005. Since the place was unused for quite some time we had to get the place cleaned up, white washed and also had to complete the water and sanitation work. Furniture, fixtures and equipment for the vocational training were purchased according to the sanctioned budget. A trained instructor for vocational training and special instructor for National open schooling was appointed. The community mobilization was started to identify adolescent girls for different interventions and several community meetings were held to inform people about the programs under T.E.A.C.H project. The program coordinator prepared the implementation program with the team and developed survey and monitoring formats. Surveys, home visits and data collection work was carried out in the week’s time after a mapping exercise. Simultaneously the team also worked on networking with NIOS centre at east of kailash south Delhi for girls appearing for 10 th and 12th and bridge course centers of NIOS for middle school. Details of course curriculum, admission procedures and requirements for enrolling were collected. Simultaneously Jan Shikshan Sansthan (Ministry of H.R.D Govt of India) was contacted for accreditation of vocational training course. The team also visited these centres to find out all the details. Resource materials, textbooks, learning materials, teaching aids and equipment were procured.
Program Activities
Academic Coaching We observed that many girls drop out because they are unable to cope with studies due to lack of academic guidance. With an aim to help more and more girls complete primary education ABHAS identified school going girls who need coaching. ABHAS tutors visited the schools and houses in the area to select deserving girls.
T.E.A.C.H Progress Report By ABHAS
3
Two groups of 25 girls each now receive coaching between 2.00 to 4 P.M at two different locations in the community. Girls of classes 1 to VII of MCD and government schools attend these coaching classes. The teachers conduct weekly tests to monitor their performance. A parents meeting is held once every month. Regular home visits and counseling is provided to monitor the progress of the girls. Linking dropouts Girls A door-to-door survey was conducted in the area and information was disseminated about the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and bridge course program. Forms were given out to girls who were dropouts and had lost out educational opportunities. Among many applicants, girls who wanted to continue their education were selected on the following criteria. Girls who are above age who cannot join formal primary school. Availability of mark sheet of last class attended. Address proof. Demonstrate financial need. Parents willing to educate their daughters. Be a resident of Tughlakabad.
A test was conducted to gauge the learning levels of the Girls and then they were divided into classes accordingly and their classes began on 15th April 2005. 27 girls have been enrolled under the program at ABHAS center.16 girls will appear for class 10th, 2 for class 12th, 4 for class 6th and 5 for class 8th exams through the National Open School in the month of March 2006. The special educator is coaching these girls and progressively covering the syllabus. She also conducts weekly and monthly tests and maintains progress record registers. After each monthly test a parent teacher meeting is held to discuss the progress of the girls and also to raise their involvement in the program.50% syllabus has been covered for all classes. Girls of class 10 th and 12th will appear for the following subjects. Basic English, Hindi, Social Science, Home Science, Economics while girls appearing for 6th and 8th will appear for General science instead of home Science and Maths part from English, Hindi and Social Studies. Daily attendance registers, lesson and activity plans and daily progress record and registers are being maintained to monitor the progress of the girls. It is encouraging to see the response of the community in this program two young mothers enrolled in the NIOS program and most girls are between the ages of 14 to 19 years. Usually girls complete their household chores before coming to the class, which held, from 10 A.M to 2 P.M. Most girls and their
T.E.A.C.H Progress Report By ABHAS
4
mothers supplement family income through home-based work of quilt making, embroidery and sequin work for export houses. After interaction with girls we found that alcoholism, violence against girls in school, discrimination and poverty were the main reasons for dropping out. More and more girls are keen to enroll themselves in courses at the centre since many girls do not have the proper school living certificates they are presently not able to register under NIOS. These girls have taken admission in our vocational training class and we are also trying to find out ways in which we can help them to continue their education. Vocational Training The information about the vocational training at Girls Interest Centre (GIC) was disseminated simultaneously with the NIOS program in the community meetings and during home visits. By mid April 2005, 9 girls had joined the program which started with imparting basic cutting and tailoring skills. Presently the programs runs in three shifts 10 A.M to 12 A.M, 12 to 2 P.M and 2 to 4 P.M. 53 girls between the ages of 15 to 25 years attend these classes. By November 2005 these girls will complete six-month course prescribed by Jan Shikshan Sansthan (Ministry of Human Resources and Development, Govt.of India). Many will begin on an advanced course thereafter and acquire further skills depending the trend of the market. Many girls attending NIOS program at centre are also enrolled for vocational training. The response is very good from the community and the quality of training is attracting more and more girls to join the course. During the meeting with the girls we have shared the idea of giving nominal contribution for the vocational training. The idea is to involve them in the program, support those who cannot afford vocational trainings and NIOS fees and if necessary integrate new market led short duration courses. The community contribution will help to create a contingency fund to make this program sustainable. There is a marked change in the attitude of girls enrolled in both programs they look forward to coming to centre they are slowly becoming more confident there is a change in manner of speaking, the way they dress and the way they conduct themselves. They finish their household work early and come to the centre. It is encouraging to see young mothers attend classes with their infants. Girls from the neighbouring communities have got to know about the programs and are requesting to enroll them in the courses.
T.E.A.C.H Progress Report By ABHAS
5
Observations and analysis The girls interest center established under the T.E.A.C.H project with the support of ASHA Stanford and HPS Foundation, has enabled ABHAS to address the educational and vocational needs of needs of deprived adolescent girls in Tughlakabad. The girls interest center is also helping ABHAS to address issues related to Gender disparity and also gaining the support of community women in this endeavor. Though the support for T.E.A.C.H project is coming from two organization HPS social welfare foundation and ASHA Stanford the component of life skill training, which is integral to, the project is unaided. Therefore ABHAS has networked with FICCI-Socio Economic Development Foundation to conduct life skills trainings for the girls in the coming months. Future Plans Life skills workshops. Networking with govt. approved computer center and place 25 adolescents girls for training. Submitting examination form and fees for NIOS and preparing girls for final exams. Inviting Jan Shikshan Sansthan to conduct final test and award certificate to successful vocational training students.
T.E.A.C.H Progress Report By ABHAS
6
Sanctioned Budget From ASHA Stanford 1st March 2005 to 28 February 2006
S.No.
Particulars
Amount In Rs. For one year 60,000 30,000
Amount Received for six months
Expenditure In Rs upto 31 July 2005 (5 months) 30,000 29,360
1.
Girls Interest Centre Rent centre x @ Rs 5, 000 x 12 months (Recurring) Furniture & fixtures. (One time) Vocational Trainings Computers Training course (One time) Certificate course in Computers from Government approved institution 25 Girls x @ Rs3, 000 Cushion Making, Appliqué work Training (One time) Sewing Machine 4 x @ Rs 3,500 Interlocking Machine 1 @ Rs 3,500 Embroidery Machine 1 @ Rs 5,000 Automatic Interlock & kaj button machine 1x @ Rs 6,000 Raw Materials and maintenance Instructor Vocational Trainings 1 persons @Rs3000 x 12 months. (Recurring) Total
2.
75,000
14,000 3,500 5,000
10,892
6,000
10,000
3052
36,000 2,39,500 1,21,619
15,000 88,304
Note- Expenditure towards computer training and purchase of equipment for vocational training will be made in the coming months. We request you to send the balance amount to meet the expenditure of the next six months.
T.E.A.C.H Progress Report By ABHAS
7