Aao Sawaaren Apni Shala

Background

Imparting education to all children up to the elementary level has become mandatory, and education has been recognised as a fundamental right. However, it is not being implemented to its full capacity in Jharkhand. In Singrauli district, to strengthen the functioning of schools, meetings with School Management Committees were held in the weakest performing schools based on the results of Pratibha Parv. During the course of these meetings and conversations with parents and students, it was realised that furniture plays a big part in the environment and the learning experience of students; it is just as important as equipment, buildings and other learning resources. A considerable number of children in the majority of primary and middle schools still study in poor conditions, making it harder for them to perform well.

Intervention

To improve the perception of people about government schools, District Administration Singrauli planned to provide dual desks to all schools in addition to blackboards, boundary walls and roof treatment. Of the total 2013 schools, 507 Middle Schools were chosen for the first phase. Insufficient funds from Rajya Shiksha Kendra Bhopal was one of the problems faced during the initial stage of the initiative. Being an industrial District, Singrauli is affected by mining works and hence to work for the interest and benefit of affected people, the district has a District Mineral Fund. It was with the help of this fund, Aao Sawaaren Apni Shala initiative was successfully completed and expanded in other schools too. Another problem faced was that providing desks has never been a priority in terms of improving education. Though the advantages seem small initially, they go a long way in improving the interest and perceptions of the students towards their studies and school.

Impact

Aao Sawaaren Apni Shala initiative has brought a positive impact on the learning of the children. The district administration saw an increase in the percentage of students coming to school. One of the many advantages is that now with proper seatting arrangements for students, they can see the blackboard at optimum eye-level without constraint. This has also improved the body posture of the students while writing and reading, and encouraged students to work on their handwriting. It has a behavioural impact on the children, parents and teachers, as children feel more connected to the school and are more disciplined. Parents also express greater satisfaction when they see their children getting proper facilities. On the whole, it has greatly improved the perception of the government schools in the minds of people.

Source : Aspirational Districts for WEB