Improving Quality of Elementary Education
Save the Children, UK is implementing a project on Improving Quality of Elementary Education in 100 villages in 4 of the disadvantaged districts Alwar, Chittour, Karauli and Rajsamand of Rajasthan. Four NGOs have been selected for implementing the project in four districts; CUTS CHD for Chittorgarh, AIMED for Alwar, PRIA for Karauli and Pratham for Rajsamand.
The project is based on the twin strategies: first, children’s involvement and community empowerment; and second, developing the capacity of government functionaries to effectively implement the policies and programmes to enable children, especially the most marginalised, to realise their right to education. This project also complements the Indian Government’s ambitious programme called Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), an initiative that aims to provide useful and relevant elementary education for all children in the 6-14 years age group by 2010. The project is for 11 months from May 2008 to March 2009. Based on the outcome of the initial phase, project duration will be increased from three to five years.
The overall objective of the project is to improve the quality of government elementary education system in Rajasthan so that it becomes more relevant and responsive to the needs of children, especially those who are from migratory families, tribal communities, ethnic minorities, or have disabilities, girls or engaged in hazardous labour. The project will be implemented in six gram panchayats. The number of villages will be 25.
Gram Panchayats Villages
Chiksi, Ragunathpura, Jitawal, Banasti Devari Haapawas, Parliya, Devari ,Thukrawa, Gagsa, Rithola Semaliya, Jafarkhera Chothpura, Bilola Sehanwa, Bojunda, Pachtoli Ochari, Lalji Ka Khera, Barada Jalampura, Meeno Ka Kanthariya, Khor, Oradi Biloda
The project was formally launched on June 16, 2008 at CUTS CHD. Narbada Bhambhi, Additional District Education officer (Elementary), Suresh Chandra Sharma, Additional District Coordinator, SSA, Ram Pratap Daad, Lecturer, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Chittorgarh and Chaturbhuj Jat, Member, Panchayat Samiti, Chittorgarh attended the programme and requested animators to cooperate CUTS for successful implementation of the project activities. About 35 participants attended the launch meeting.
Swarn Jayanti Grameen Swa-Rozgar Yojna (SGSY) – Chittorgarh
CUTS CHD is implementing a micro-credit project in three blocks (Nimbaheda, Bhadesar and Chittorgarh) of Chittorgarh. The project is being funded by Zila Parishad under SJSY scheme of Government of India. The project will cover below poverty level (BPL) community. During April-June 2008, all project villages have been visited and 80 percent animators have been selected for implementing the project.
The objective of the project is to empower weaker sections of the society, linking them with income generating activities and make them self reliant. The orientation-cum-training for animators was clubbed with the NABARD training programme that was held at CUTS CHD on June 11-12, 2008.
Orientation-cum-Training Programme for Animators
The orientation-cum-training programme for animators was held at CUTS CHD on June 11-12, 2008, in which 32 out of 40 animators turned up for the training. Aarti Joshi, SHG expert and Chawla, Project Officer, Swarn Jayanti Grameen Swa-Rojgar Yojna (SJSRY), Chittorgarh attended the programme as a trainer. Rajeshwari Meena, Pradhan, Chittorgarh was the Chief Guest.
The orientation-cum-training programme for animators of Bhilwara SHG project was held at Senior Secondary School, Bigod, Mandalgarh on June 13, 2008, in which 13 out of 32 animators attended the programme. Animators were oriented on project objectives and activities during the training programme. Animators were provided training kits for future reference.