Making every child access to education… Sr. Crescence

Making every child access to
education…
World Literacy Program (WLP)
Annual Progress Report
April 2014-March 2015
Supported by
Sr. Crescence
Fakirana Sisters Society, Bettiah W.C., Bihar INDIA
General Information of the Organization
Title of the
Project
Non-formal education programme under Free School World Literacy
Program (WLP)
Name of the
organization
Fakirana Sisters Society
Address of the
organization
Fakirana Sisters’ Society
Banuchhapar, Bettiah West Champaran 845 438 Bihar INDIA
Phone
Email
Fax
91-6254-242594, 91-8862844435
sr.crescence@gmail.com
Not available
Contact Person
Sr. Crescence SSH
Location of the
project
Motihari and Bettiah blocks of East & West Champaran districts of
Bihar
Project Duration
Ongoing
Reporting Period 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015
Date of
Submission of
the Annual
Progress Report
27th August 2015
Introduction and background
The non-formal education program for the poorest, marginalized and socially excluded
children was started in 1997 with the kind and philanthropic support of an ordinary person
donors namely, Mark Bloomfield, and his parents in a very surprising way. Free School World
Literacy Program (WLP).
This program was not an outcome of an overnight journey but it has a historical genesis. I went
to Calcutta way back in early 1997 to see the eye doctor. There, I saw a young fellow from the
foreign country, who too was waiting to consult with ophthalmologist. He sat beside me and I
asked his introduction. He introduced to me gracefully. He used to come to Mother Teresa for
his vocation. I invited him to Bihar to see more of the illiterate, poorest and destitute children
who were helpless to lead a pathetic life. So next year he came to Motihari where I showed him
the areas where poverty, illiteracy, unemployment was rampant. He looked at the children
seriously and asked to do something for these children.
I then started a small non-formal center in convent campus in Motihari for the poor children of
the surrounding and called it free school. Later on mark bloom field gradually put me in
contact with many generous people such as Mrs. Sue Tennant from Canada, Mrs. Geri Johnson
from Singapore and Mrs. Saskia Raevouri from Holland, Robert Coenraads from Australia.
Thereafter, Motihari became the base for this education campaign. In 2005, office of the free
school world literacy program (WLP) shifted to Bettiah, i.e. Sacred Heart Convent. Expansion
took place and more centres were opened. Now, 33 non-formal education centres are being
successfully run with the quality education provided to the children.
Objectives
Free School World Literacy Program (WLP) was started with number of objectives as given
below:
•
•
•
•
To educate the non-school-going children
To prepare these children for formal schools both private & government.
To join them mainstream these children with the formal schools both private and
government.
To enable the poorest, marginalized and socially excluded children to access their right
to education.
Operational areas
Motihari
Bettiah
Total centres
12 Free Schools
16 Free Schools
28
Till now, the “Free School World Literacy Program” has been expanded to different villages of
Motihari and Bettiah with 12 and 16 free schools respectively covering 1140 poorest children,
marginalized and socially excluded in rural areas.
Activities carried out during
April 2014 - March 2015
1. Selection and start up of new free schools
The success of the “World Literacy Program” can be imagined from the rising demands of the
free schools in different villages of the project areas. Due to the requests of the village people
03 new centers for free schools were selected and started up in 03 locations during April 2014
to March 2015 to widen the coverage of the “World Literacy Program (WLP)”. Detail is as
follows:
Name of the free school
Baithania Free School
Dewanpatti Free School
Sariswa Free School
Total
Boys
10
15
20
45
Total no. of children enrolled
Girls
35
25
25
85
Total
45
40
45
130
2. Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day was celebrated on 15th August 2015 in 16 free schools of Bettiah and 12 in
Motihari areas. Children were seen in a great joy and full of patriotic feelings. On this great
event, children were assembled in the free schools with their respective teachers. Flag was
hoisted by the respective chief guest in each centre followed by reciting the National Anthem.
To instill the devotion and loyalty towards the nation, teachers shared the national freedom
movement and the significance of this day which they heard patiently.
On this occasion, children presented their speeches which were based on Independence Day.
Later, children who presented their speeches on the Independence Day were called upon in the
staff meeting held in the end of August 2014 where they again delivered their respective
speeches. For the best speeches delivered on this day, 03 children of free schools of Bettiah &
03 children of free schools of Motihari were awarded with the prizes. Children of 1st prizes were
given the instrument boxes, children of 2nd prizes were given lunch boxes and children of 3rd
prize were given the pencil boxes for their splendid performances.
3. Teachers’ Day Celebration
Teachers’ day was celebrated on 5th September 2015 in
16 free schools of Bettiah and 12 free schools of Motihari
with heavy rush of the children including other children
of the villages. The prime objective of celebrating this
day was to make the children understand the
significance of this day and to keep the respect of their
teachers in their hearts.
On this day, teachers of free schools pay homage to Dr.
Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who contributed in the sector
of education and became the illustration for everyone.
Teachers of free schools also shared the significance of
this day and ask the children to take an oath to respect
their teachers. Children in both Bettiah and Motihari
areas presented their small gifts to their respective teachers. Not only this, but they also
presented songs, dance on folklores and role play based on education and have fun on this day.
Sr. Crescence providing the gift to the free school teacher on the occasion of Teachers’ Day
Celebration
4. Children’s Day Celebration
On 14th November 2015, children’s day was celebrated in 16 free schools in Bettiah and 12 free
schools of Motihari areas. Teachers and children remembered Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the
first prime minister of India, and his love towards the children. On this day, a fancy dress
competition among the children was also organized with a view to promote the creativity and
innovation. 03 children were given the first, second and third prize for their best fancy dresses.
Lastly, toffees were distributed among the children and the program came to an end.
5. Republic Day Celebration
Republic Day was celebrated in every centre in order to make the children aware about how
our country got independence and become the republic, its significance, history etc. Children
attended the celebration and also they presented various cultural programs. Toffee were
distributed to the children and the program came to an end.
6. School visits for facilitative monitoring & supervision
Sr. Crescence and her supervisor Mr.
Madan Ram have frequently visited
16 free schools of Bettiah and 12 of
Motihari during this year. The team
adopted an approach of facilitative
monitoring and supervision so that
the values can be added in the project
and quality education can be
provided to the children with the
systematic intervention.
Sr. Crescence teaching the children with
joyful methods during the free school visits
Free school teacher teaching the children
Findings and suggestions
•
•
Teaching is somewhat monotonous and more based on old pattern not providing the
quality education hence; joyful learning is to be provided.
Teachers need to be imparted the training on teaching modern methodology in order
to make them effective and produce interest among the children for learning.
7. Free Schools: functioning and its management
28 free schools (16 in Bettiah and 12 in Motihari) are being &
managed in both the districts of Bihar. Generally, children in
free schools are taught between 2 to 3 hours a day with a
interval for rest and lunch etc. Mostly free schools are run during
3.30pm to 6:00 pm as per the suitability of the children. Subjects
such as Hindi, Mathematics, Social Science, Sanskrit, English
and Science are taught to the children with a view to give them
the basic knowledge of each subject.
8. Tailoring centers
03 tailoring centers were established and started
in Mahnagani village, Lalgarh and Belwa Auraiya
villages. 45 adolescent girls (15 in each centre)
have been enrolled and are under the skill
training. Each centre is being run for 2 hours i.e.
12 noon to 2 pm. Stitching machines and other
required things are provided to the tailoring
teachers. Adolescent girls are being given the skill
in cutting and stitching the following
• Ladies suits
• Children’s wear
The primary objective to establish and run these
tailoring centers is to develop the trade skill
among the adolescent girls so that they can stitch
their clothes and also can use this skill to earn their
livelihood.
Tailoring teacher giving the instruction to the adolescent girl of
The center.
9. Staff meetings
To make the WLP project more
effective, staff meetings were
conducted every month on a regular
basis in which it was made
mandatory for the teachers and staff
to attend the meeting and
contribute as per their capacity. In
each meeting, progress achieved
over a month was reviewed by the
director Sr. Crescence including
teachers and supervisor. Gaps and
challenges
were
identified,
discussed and probable and
workable strategies were explored.
Best practices and case studies were
also discussed in order to promote
the peer learning. Next month plan
of action was also prepared at
length by the teachers. Lastly
teachers were given the salary and
meeting used to come to an end.
Results/impacts of the program
•
•
•
•
•
•
1140 children (763 girls and 377 boys) have been enrolled and being given the primary
education and prepared for the formal schools for future
85 children of Bettiah and 39 children of Motihari have been mainstreamed into the
formal schools i.e. government schools
09 children of both the areas have been mainstreamed into private schools who are
continuing their education
Children are regularly attending the free school classes every day
Children are responding very well in terms writing on the board and replying to the
queries of their teachers
Some of the parents do visit the free schools and monitor their children
Challenges and strategy to overcome
Challenges
Identification of non-school going
children
Making the children to stay in the
centre for the entire period
Creating the interest among the rural
children towards education is really a
challenge
Changing parents’ attitude towards the
studies of their children
The ratio of teacher and children in free
school is unequal and that’s why
teacher is not able to handle the
children
Strategy to overcome
Parents and community members are involved
in the identification of non-school children
Stories, folk examples, games are used to make
the children to stay in the free schools
Teaching with more and more games is being
adopted to maintain the interest of the children
Parents’ meetings are planned to be held which
will certainly change their attitude
We are going to have the division of children as
per their age group within the centre so that
teacher can assign the group task and see
another group
Way forward…
• Training of free school teachers on
modern methods of teaching through 02 days
workshop exclusive for their capacity building will
be organized
• Exposure of 5-6 teachers (representatives)
in Free Schools, Delhi to be conducted for their
capacity building and new learning dimension
• Parents’ meeting at quarterly basis will be
conducted in the project areas to involve them in
planning, implementation and evaluation. This
would also ensure the regular attendance of the
children, quality education, ownership of the
project activities etc.
• Inter free school evaluation mutually by
the teachers to motivate them and widening their
learning from each other.
Life Change Stories
Fortunate move of life…
Kajal Kumari is a 16 years child who lives in Banuchhapar village of
Bettiah block of West Champaran district of Bihar. She has 02 sisters and
02 brothers. Her father is self-employed and runs a small nursery school
in Banuchhapar village. Her mother assists her father in the school work.
Kajal’s 02 brothers attend good schools in the town but Kajal was sent to
Free School in the village. This was mere a gender based discrimination
being practiced at her home. She was tightlipped and could not stand
against her father.
Kajal was very talented, prudent and intelligent child throughout her life.
She was very much talented in dance, music, handicraft etc. She was the
best students of her free school. Time passed by and she completed 4th
standard from the free school. She was then shifted to another school in
the town where she completed 8th standard. She could discontinue her
school in town because of heavy financial crunch in her family. Her
parents contacted to Sr. Crescence and shared their pathetic story and requested to resolve
the situation as they were very much disturbed of their familial problems and Kajal’s study. Sr.
Crescence like an angel admitted Kajal in Sacred Heart High School, Banuchhapar Bettiah.
Kajal was again on track and serious in her studies. She completed 10th standard securing 1st
division.
Parents were very happy to see that Kajal had already cleared her 10th standard but they were
not of the opinion that Kajal should continue her studies. Kajal was very scared, immediately
she contacted Sr. Crescence who again played a pivotal role and convinced her parents for her
studies. She took admission in MJK College, Bettiah town and again started her studies. Kajal
got a big break when Sr. Crescence contacted her and offered her a post of a teacher in Bridge
Course Program with the relaxation to continue her studies, what she was doing. She took it
positively and joined the Bridge Course Program and is very well teaching the children. She is
responsible and accountable teacher. She provides the quality education to the children in the
simplest way possible. She stays in “Bridge Course Program” together with the children but
often visits her home whenever she feels the parents need her help.
She is very obliged towards Sr. Crescence. She says that she is indebted to Sr. Crescence who
have made her so confident and provided the support whenever needed in life. She wants to
be a engineer in her life and serve the society and everyone.
Project’s visibility in photographs
Sr. Crescence during the free school visit with Miss. Saskia R. &
Miss. Geri Johnson
A Great achievement
The old school of WLP at
Sagauli which was in
operation from 2005. Now
needed heavy repair.
The same WLP School of Sagauli
after renovation and repair done in
2015.
Yes this small house is our pride. It is
the first house to be called our own
for WLP. Thanks to the generous
soul “Miss Ellen White” who
contributed much for the repair and
renovation of this small house. She
expressed her wish that after her
death her donation should be used
for the free School. What a noble desire may her sacrifice bring light to the life of many
children who are live in poverty and misery?
Annexure-1: Details of the Free Schools, enrolled children & staff
Bettiah
S. N.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Free School with location
Musahar Tola Free School
Banuchhapar Free School
Yogapatti Free School
Sugauli Free School
Yogapatti Free School
Dewan Tola Free School
Arhnwa Free School
Belwa Free School
Banuchhapar Free School
Paras Pakdi Free School
Pandey Tola Free School
Belwa Free School
Lalgarh Free School
Banuchhapar Free School
Sariswa Free School (new)
Ninwalia Free School (new)
Total
Enrolled children
Girls
26
29
30
20
25
25
40
28
35
31
29
15
15
15
23
30
416
Boys
14
16
25
15
20
20
15
12
10
14
16
00
00
00
12
15
204
Teacher engaged in Free School
Total
40
45
55
35
45
45
55
40
45
45
45
15
15
15
35
45
620
Ambika Kumari
Jarina Bano
Umma Kumari
Ramesh Kushwah
Ragini Devi
Raziya Parveen
Sangeeta Devi
Sakshi Kumari
Shyamali Chakravarti
Saba Parveen
Archana Kumari
Subhadra Devi
Anita Devi
Renu Devi
Archana Kumari
Soni Kumari
Motihari
S. N.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Free School with location
Rulahi Satisa Free School
Rulahi New Colony Free School
Baswariya Free School
Rulahi Bazar Free School
Chandrahiya Free School
Chandrahiya Free School
Harijan Tola Free School
Loknath Bhawan Free School
Tolipur Free School
Bankat Bhitaha Free School
Bankat Free School
Yogapatti Free School
Total
Enrolled children
Girls
30
27
29
28
26
29
29
33
28
26
28
34
347
Boys
15
18
16
12
14
16
11
12
17
19
12
11
173
Teacher engaged in Free School
Total
45
45
45
40
40
45
40
45
45
45
40
45
520
Ganga Kumari
Gauri Devi
Kunjlata Kumari
Neelam Kumari
Priyanka Kumari
Ranjana Kumari
Smita Kumari
Shivani Acharya
Seema Kumari
Subhash Ram
Akhilesh Kumar
Deepika Rai
Director
Sr.Crescence
WLP & BRIDGE COURSE Programme
Fakirana Sisters Society Banuchapar,
Bettiah, West Champaran Bihar INDIA