THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

- There is an increase in number of school dropouts in the rural areas. To reduce school dropout ratio.
- To include a participatory and right based education for the rural school children.
- To provide supplementary democratic education on citizenship and leadership.
- To help the children with scientific knowledge.
- To protect and spread the cultural, folk and ethic arts among the children.
- The target population is at the age of 5-15 years

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

- Conducting classes for 2-30 hours in the evening
- Conducting science exhibitions
- Training teachers on child psychology, child and human rights, subjects and learning + teaching techniques
- Annual sports and cultural training

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

- Children from the age of 5-14
- Young teachers / graduates
- Local Education Department – Governmental
- Local village / parents / panchayat councils

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

- Public schools
- Government Educational Departments
- State Science Forum
- Child Line – Chile Protection Service of the State

- The rural Dalit children were not able to participate in the education programme.
- Drop out ratio was increasing because of the poor economic condition of the families.
- They were not properly handled or guided in the schools.
- Their basic rights were exploited.

- So VCDS started an informal school to give education to children who work in the day to take care / help the families.
- Later we started formal schools with high girl children enrolment and handed it to the government.

- Now we provide supplementary democratic education for the rural deprived Dalit children especially girls with participative and right based education, by addressing the special children (with learning disabilities).

FUTURE PROSPECTS

- The schools are conducted in the government building which are not well: no lights, no windows, no electricity.
- Some schools are run in streets, or in a small veranda of a house under street light.
- They don’t run school during the rainy season.
- Government buildings are not given for children’s education, they don’t approve the use of the building for the evening schools
- So, the new proposal is to build a school building with electricity and water facility where the students can come and study during school time, which will belong and owned by the schools / VCDS for the rest of their life.

SHARE YOUR PROGRESS AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THIS INITIATIVE

- The dropout ratio was reduced from 38.7% to 13%.
- The children’s scientific knowledge has increased.
- The rural educated youth were given a job opportunity.
- The government educational departments are evaluating and executing their work along with VCDS.
- Special children were identified and accommodated in special schools.
- Many students have moved to university education and for professional education.
- We have produced some dedicated leaders for the society from NFED.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?

- Looking for partners (or) help to start a construction for the school building.
- Out of 18 schools we have there is no official building for any of these schools.
- Purchase of equipments and construction of classroom or school room.