prem e-news vol 20 july 2016 chacko sir e-news_vol 20_july 2016.pdf · the adolescent girls at tvs...

PREM E-News, Volume 20, July 2016

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People’s Rural Education

Movement

E-NEWS July 2016

Volume 20

Mandiapalli, Berhampur 760-007 Orissa, India

+91-680-2242266 www.prem.org.in

[email protected]

President’s Message

Dear friends and well wishers .

Greetings from PREM! This issue of E-news brings with lot a of information regarding different programs and also lobby and advocacy with different departments like Tribal Affairs and Women and Child Development (WCD) of Govt. of India. The letter issued by Joint Secretary of WCD department really helped the Early Childhood Education in tribal areas of India through Mother Tongue based Multilingual Early Childhood Education. The State Convener of all the states can meet the WCD department and lobby for further steps. Recently one research institute which came to do some study in tribal areas told me that the Tribals are not participating in Panchayat Raj Institutions actively. I have told that you have to understand the culture and socio-economic background of tribal societies in India. Tribal cannot understand the Panchayat Raj system which brings a cluster of villages together as one Gramsabha. This is not accepted for the Tribal culture. They believe that every village or hamlet which means a tribal habitation is a Gram Sabha. They do not believe joining with other villages and other caste people in decision making and planning for their village. Panchayat Raj Act Extension to Extension scheduled Act (PESA) was drafted by Late. Dr. B.D. Sharma and team under this spirit and which was approved by the Parliament for the scheduled area. No state has implemented PESA in true spirit so, if PESA is implemented in letter and spirit, all the Tribals in scheduled areas will actively participate in Gram Sabha and they will develop their villages as best developed villages in India. So there is a need for Voluntary organisations and activists and Public Servants to work towards this direction, so that we will not anymore say that we have to mainstream the Tribals for development.

With best regards

Sincerely, Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM

Highlight of the Month

Successful initiative by WCD department, Govt of India for implementation MTMLECE

On 20th April 2016, Dr. Jacob Thundyil. National Convenor, NACDIP along with the representatives of NACDIP had an opportunity to meet Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister, Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India at New Delhi and discuss the status of implementation of MTMLECE in tribal areas of India. After the meeting they submitted a memorandum to the minister requesting to contact the WCD department, Govt. of India for the speedy implementation of MTMLECE as per the national ECCE policy. In response, the Hon’ble Minister forwarded the memorandum to the WCD department and requested to take appropriate steps for the successful implementation of MTMLECE. The WCD department has taken seriously this issue and on 6th July 2016 a letter was issued to all the Secretaries of all the states and Union Territories

The letter from the WCD department

for successful implementation of MTMLECE in all the states and UTs of

India


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of India to issue necessary instructions to the concerned ICDS functionaries for special focus on MTMLECE for the tribal communities in Anganwadi centres as per the national ECCE policy and the same letter enclosed in the annexure. After the successful initiative from the WCD department. Govt of India on 12th July 2016 Dr. Jacob Thundyil, National Convenor, NACDIP and team met Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister Tribal Affairs and expressed his gratitude to him for his support.

Meeting with NCPCR

NACDIP has decided to expand the MTMLECE learning process in a wider level based on the success of Odisha model, and submitted a request to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR ). In this regard Dr. Jacob Thundyil, National Convener, NACDIP and Dr. K. Krishnan, South India Convener, NACDIP Ms.Stuti Kacker, Hon’ble Chairperson, NCPCR on 19th April 2016 and met Shri. Priyank Kanoongo, Member of NCPCR, Shri. Paresh of NCPCR and Sri.K.Chitti Babu on 20th April 2016 at NCPCR office, New Delhi. During the meetings they had a discussion on the need for mother tongue based education to the tribal children in view with national ECCE policy.

A follow up meeting was organized at NCPCR on 28th April 2016. Based on that a meeting was organized at NCPCR office on 28th April in which Dr. K. Krishnan, Mr.Sudhir Digal, Mr.Srinivasulu and Mr.Aswhani Paliwal attended on behalf of NACDIP. 17 members

including Shri.Paresh Sha, Shri.Chitti Babu, Ms.Madhu Lika, Dr.Ved Prakash, Shri.Dushyant Mehar, Shri.Avesh, Shri.Sanjay Mishra along with other experts participated in it.

In the meeting the NACDIP team talked about the importance of mother tongue based multi-lingual education and its work related to MTMLECE in different states and presented details of successful models that are developed in Odisha by PREM-BvLF and also presented various TLM, books and documents developed.

Besides these they also talked about the model programs in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Gujarat and other areas and the impact of MTMLECE approach among the tribal children on school attendance, retention, parents involvement, and successful transition to formal schools. There were several clarifications on the role of ICDS, linkage between ICDS, role of local self-government and importance of parents involvement in promotion of Anganwadi centers. There were discussion on issues like distance of Anganwadi centers, primary schools, functions of ICDS and the situation of tribal children and impact created and the process of monitoring. All the experts gave their inputs for starting a successful model in the areas of Mother tongue for few communities of India. Shri. Priyank Kanoongo, the Hon’ble Member of NCPCR asked the team to develop key action plan for creating impacts among the selected communities so that NCPCR can play an important role in promotion of children rights and protection of their values with languages.

After the presentation, discussion and planning process it was decided that NACDIP shall select and work for the communities of most vulnerable on the mother tongue based multi-lingual education by preparing materials in their local languages. The following languages were finalized in the meeting such as:

NACDIP team attended the meeting of NCPCR

Dr. Jacob Thundyil presenting a thanks letter to Shri. Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister, Tribal

Affairs.


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1. “Gadiya lohar” – this community live in the areas of Rajasthan, Hariyana, Delhi, UP, MP and other states. 2. “Sugali” – this community live in the areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and other states. 3. “Chenchu” – this community live in the areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. 4. “Mundari” – this community live in the areas of Jharkhand and other states. 5. “Chakma” – this community live in the areas of Northeast India - mainly in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and other states and NCPCR will give contact details to NACDIP for field visits, meetings for preparation and development of the TLM in their mother tongue. The role of NCPCR will be to provide contact details for preparing and translating of all these works, providing financial support for the north east region, supporting in publication of books and TLMs on MTMLECE.

PREM Program Activities

Training on the basics of computer

PREM in collaboration with UNFPA organized a training program on the basics of computer application for the facilitators and managers of the Adolescent Girls’ Community Resource Centers located in 5 Gram Panchayats of Gumma block. The training was a residential one held at Bharatmata Training and Resource

Center, Paralakhemundi lasting for 12 days from 6th to 17th June, 2016. A mixed group of trainees consisting of 6 Panchayat Coordinators and 12 peer leaders. Mr. Surya Narayan Panda, an experienced IT teacher from Berhampur, Ganjam, was engaged in imparting the training. The general concept on Computer, MS word, MS excel, MS power point, internet, electronic mail, basics of search engine and so on constituted the course outlines, the theories dealt with for almost 8 days. The subsequent 4 days were devoted to revisions, clarification of doubts, practice, test and examination. The class room transaction was quite participatory, interactive and joyful. The performance of the trainees in the examination held for them towards the end of the training indicated an unexpected extent of success. The marks scored ranged within 33 to 46 out of the total of 50 marks. 9

trainees secured more than 80% of marks, the highest being 92%. The trainees have carried a good impression about the teacher in their learning process.

Meeting with Government Officers

On 30th May 2016 NACDIP team got an opportunity to participate in a meeting of Social Welfare and Tribal Development Department which was organised at Telangana. More than 50 Govt. officers and NGO leaders were present in the meeting. It focused on RTE and Tribal Development. In the meeting the team presented the importance of MTMLECE and shared the success of the Odisha model.Brochures and papers on NACDIP was circulated among the participants. Over 50 officers and NGO leaders attended this meeting. It was a good platform for NACDIP to present its experience on promotion of MTMLECE and as well for the Govt. officials to know about the work of NACDIP towards the promotion of MTMLECE for the tribal children of India.

The mechanical training related to TVS Scooty

The TVS motor company, Chennai, Tamilnadu in collaboration with PREM, commenced a training on the repair and maintenance of TVS Scooty and motor mechanism to 16 adolescent girls from Gumma block area from March 13, 2016. The trainees stayed at a hostel situated within the premises of PREM’s office Mandiapalli; from here they travelled to the

The adolescent girls at TVS Scooty showroom, Berhampur


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workshop of the TVS Company, Berhampur branch based at Berhampur city. The duration of the training was 4 months. The criteria of eligibility included completion of 5th standard and 18 years in age. The trainees are entitled to get Rs.4500/- each per month towards their stipend and the process for opening up their individual accounts in a bank is on. The trainees have been assured of their placement in any of the company’s show rooms, with an initial consolidated salary of Rs. 8000/- on successful completion of the training.

Block and District level Meetings on MTMLECE

In this period, PREM with the support of Odisha Adivasi Manch (OAM) organised Block and district level meetings in the operational eight districts of Odisha. The participants including Govt. Officials like BDO, CDPO, WEO, ICDS Supervisors, Gram Panchayat Officer and Social Extension Officer, peoples representative like Block Chairman,Zilla Parishad Chairman, Sub-Collector, Zilla Parisad Members, Sarapanch, Samiti Sabhya and Ward Members, media representatives from both electronic and print media, local youth (boys and girls) and students, ICDS Worker, Asha (Accredited Social Health Activist) and OAM block and district representatives and regional coordinators. The major points discussed in these meetings were implementation of MT based Multi Lingual Early Childhood Education in a true spirit, establishing stronger consultative links between ICDS Centre and their

communities, inclusiveness of access of tribal child learning environments on Mother tongue based Multilingual ECE, immediate supply of Child-centred Pedagogy (New Arunima Books) in 10 Tribal Language to support the teacher in centre transaction in mother tongue, promoting cleanliness habits among the children at Anganwadi centres and at home, promoting children as the ambassadors of cleanliness and motivate others to keep their homes, Anganwadis, schools, and surroundings clean, practicing personal hygiene by the children at Anganwadi centres to maintain sound health, regular supply of nutritional food to the children of Anganwadi Centre to prevent malnutrition and anaemia, ensuring that all Angawadi Centres are

clean and equipped with child friendly toilets and safe drinking water facilities. Through continuous meetings and sensitization the Government administrative authorities are listening people’s voice/demands and providing support to OAM. Involvement of political representative’s in the campaign has been increasing to implement MTMLECE in the tribal areas of state.

Exposure Visit of PRI Members

On 7th April 2016 the PRI members of Bansapal block visited the Kopatadiha Anganwadi Centre for an exposure visit. A total of 32 PRI members including Sarapanch, Ward-member, Samiti Sabhya and village committee members visited the centre. The main objective of the visit was to sensitize the PRI members on the importance and need of Mother Tongue based Multilingual Early Childhood Education in Juanga communities. The program staff explained the different domains of centre room transaction based on MTMLECE such as different age specific activities such as action songs, storytelling, outdoor games, indoor games, hygiene practice, exposure visits to nearby different service providing institutions. They also briefed the PRI member how every activity is related to the five developments (cognitive development, social development, physical development, language development and emotional development) through a practical demonstration. Program staff motivated the PRI members to demand from the government to implement MTMLECE in tribal areas of Keonjhar and to include the topic MTMLECE in the Pallisabha and Gram sabha meetings. This was a very good program for the PRI members to know about the MTMLECE approach of PREM practically.


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Notes from field

Adolescent Girls’ Community Resource Centre (AGCRC)

The 5 AGCRCs which are established by PREM-UNFPA are moving forward with the triple objective of development of adolescent girls, IT based information and service delivery. Internet connectivity already

established in 4 of the centers helped the objectives to be fulfilled successfully. Xerox of documents, information on exam results, on line application and registration were among the key transactions that took place during the period. The facilitators, in all the centers, kept updated on the books of account, minutes, attendance registers and visit registers etc. The reorientation for a period of 12 days on the basics and internet services has made their task all the more easier. Service charges, paid by the customers are accumulating and the highest amount raised was at Bhubani’s AGCRC to the tune of Rs.5728/-. Special computer classes were given to post-matric

girl students during their holidays at a token fee of Rs.100/- per head besides the usual learning by the drop outs and some school going children.

Multidimensional hubs of holistic development, AGCRCs continued being primarily owned by, utilized for and managed by the adolescent girls. They did function as safe spaces for the girls’ recreation, mutual confidential sharing, discourse, functional literacy, e-literacy, relevant learning and development from the various learning materials-visual and audio-visuals provided to the centers. Adolescent girls, even younger ones came to their respective centers, Panchayat wise, on the days scheduled for them during a week for the purposes. The Saturdays served to be the common visit days for girls from all the respective designated Panchayats under an AGCRC.

Support of Juanga Development Agency(JDA)

JDA conducted a survey for budget planning for all Juanga villages with the help of PREM staff for 2016-17. According to the survey report JDA is now promoting livelihood programs in some villages. 65

households in Gonasika, 64 in Guptaganga and 59 households in Kundhei have been supported with a small poultry house with chicks for strengthening their livelihood status. JDA is also planning to spread this livelihood program in other Juanga villages gradually. JDA has appointed an ANM recently for conducting the health camps in 35 Juanga villages coming under JDA. 25 health camps have been organized by ANM in the presence of project staff. The role of the project staff is to organize and inform all the villagers about the health camp and sensitize the village peoples to attend the health camp.

Adolescent girls at AGCRC

Panchayat coordinator along with Peer leader conducting meetings at AGCRC


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Ambulance service to the Juanga people

On 23rd January 2013, State Bank of India, Berhampur Branch invited PREM to receive an Ambulance as a donation from their part of CSR program to provide health support to the under privileged people of its operation area. The ambulance was handed over to Dr. Jacob Thundyil, President, PREM officially by Mr. A

Krishna Kumar, Managing Director & Group Executive, (National Banking) SBI. To fulfill the objective presently PREM in association with Juang Development Agency (JDA) is providing the Ambulance service in 35 Juanga villages. During this period, a total of 354 referrals including 66 pregnant mothers, 121 malaria patients, 18 Diarrhea patients, 12 malnourished children and 137 serious patients were carried to hospital by the project Ambulance to CHC, PHC and district head quarter hospital for treatment. The community people of the Juanga area are very happy with this service and expressed their

gratitude to PREM for this initiative.

Case study

Barsha, a Model for Adolescent girls

“Thank you madam; you opened up my eyes. God saved my daughter and my family. She would be in distress if I give her in marriage. I wish my daughter’s development and future happiness “, says Geetanjali Karada, Barsha’s mother to Sanjukta Tripathy, Project Manager, PREM. Barsha Karada, a 15 years old girl, is the third daughter of Geetanjali and Niraj Karada living at the Christian street, Gaiba village of Gaiba Panchayat under Gumma block, Gajapati district. Barsha has passed matriculation. She is a good singer and is always cheerful. She regularly attended the meetings of the Adolescent Girls’ Self Help Group (ASHG) and sometimes visited the AGCRC (Adolescent Girls’ Community Resource Center), based at Brushava. The meetings and the AGCRC impacted her such a way that she got resolute not to marry until she was 18 years of age. Nonetheless, there came a proposal for her marriage to an educated boy with considerable income. The proposal was considered as an opportunity by the parents. The parents planned give her marriage along with her immediate elder sister. They advanced in fixing date for her marriage without her consent. Barsha was not very enthusiastic about it. She was in utter bewilderment as to how to encounter the issue. It occurred to her that she should share the matter with some of her friends in the ASHG in the village and she did it. The friends passed on the message to Anusuya Pani, the Panchayat coordinator, Gaiba Panchayat of PREM-UNFPA project. Anusuya visited the family and enquired about it if it was a fact. When the girl’s parents affirmed the matter, she explained the demerits of early marriage. She reminded them of the legal age for marriage and stressed that be given to Barsha to achieve full physical, emotional and mental maturity until at least the permissible age reached. This did not convince them much as they found it wise to conduct the two marriages before they find their daughters entangled with any sort of defamation or ugly situation. Anusuya was in a fix and she reported the matter during the staff review meeting. Ms. Sanjukta Tripathy and her colleagues along with Anusuya visited the family once again. They discussed not only the disadvantages of early marriage but also on the legal implications which could adversely affect the family. Besides they talked on the skills that could help Barsha earn some income to be self reliant before marriage so that it would help her to remain happy all through her marital life. The discussion brought about realization in the parents of their mistake. Barsha’s marriage was cancelled to every one’s happiness and the parents carried out the marriage of only the second daughter because she was of age. Now Barsha is very happy and is one of the active members of the ASHG.


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Mr. Ch. Animes Prusty, Internship student from Symbiosis University New Delhi visited on 31st May 2016 and he expressed, “A great idea for the overall development of a child and making studies interesting for a child from the root level”.

Mr. Eugene Culas, Voice of Dalit International (VODI), London, UK 16th June 2016 and he expressed her happiness as, “It was very nice to see all different work done behind educating the children and developing the senses by using materials around their surrounding, Best Wishes”.

NRTC Highlights

Appreciation of Visitors during their visit to NRTC of PREM for MTMLE

The main motto of establishing the National Resource and Training Center (NRTC) is to bring more understanding among the different stakeholders on MT ML ECE and to enhance the skill and knowledge of existing ICDS workers in tribal areas of Odisha and India on the transaction of MT ML ECE. The Resource centre is a Learning centre as well as an information hub where different stake holders of the state as well as other parts of India get the opportunity to understand Mother Tongue Based Multi Lingual Early Childhood Education, get idea on different teaching and learning materials for carrying out the mother tongue based multilingual early childhood education in the existing ICDS centres of tribal areas and to receive quality training on MTMLECE.

In these months individuals and groups from different sectors from India and abroad visited the resource centre.


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Dr. P. C. Thomas visited on 23rd April 2016 and he expressed his happiness as, “A wonderful exeperience for me, Exciting ideas[ thought provoking concepts for child education to follow. I wish best of luck”.

Girija Sankar Padhy, from Kuet 28th June 2016 and he expressed, “Highly impressive and commendable job done by PREM in the field of early childhood education. Its an example to see that things can be made from no cost and very low cost materials yet very useful. I am delighted to get associated”.

Ms. Elizabeth Bahret, from Virginia Tech, USA on 16th June 2016 and she expressed her happiness as, “The Variety of activities are very impressive and very beneficial to the children. I am sure it would be interesting to see if you could incorporate group work and for problem solving activities. Wonderful centre ! Resourceful creative !

The visitors interacted with President and the program team of PREM. PREM’s development approaches, demonstration project of MTMLECE. They understood how PREM was able to influence the state and national level policy makers for policy change for introduction of MTMLECE. The visitors appreciated the good work of PREM, CBCD centre setup, teaching methodology and admired PREM for adopting such a vibrant approach in early childhood education system in the state and outside states to strengthen the tribal and bring the children from marginalized communities to main stream society. Photo Gallery

Panchayat level peer leaders’ review meeting at Jhami Panchayat APRO officials with Naib Sarapanch of Ragidi Panchayat


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APRO officials meeting project staff Evaluation officer and SPC UNFPA visit Ragidi AGCRC

Susila Bhuyan, an adolescent of Kujasingh Panchayat -

selected for Nursing training Minismita Bhuyan, an adolescent of Kujasingh Panchayat,

selected for Nursing training

President PREM meeting PRI members of

Ragidi GP Peer leaders’ group Photo


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Paddy distribution to existing Grain Bank in Daringbadi

block Kitchen garden in Juang project area

Village level meeting for the community people to sensitise on importance of MTMLECE

Exposure visit for the children of ICDS centre to the community hall in Juang project area

Children club meeting at Raibanja village of Daringbadi block Community support in Centre Transaction


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Participation of the children in promoting kitchen garden Village Level Meeting at Ramanaguda, Koraput

Nursing students of 2011 batch completed their course successfully and got placement in different institutions

Adolescent girls during receiving tailoring training at Gumma block

Hand Washing practice in Demo centre

Students continuing their nursing course at St. Ann’s School

of Nursing, Visakhapatnam


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Quote of the Month

“Girls are one of the most powerful forces for change in the world: When their rights are recognized, their needs are met, and their voices are heard, they drive positive change in their families, their communities, and the world.”

– Kathy Calvin(July 16, 1949) United Nations Foundation President & CEO

PREM E-NEWS

Editing Team: Himani Dash and Kailash Padhi To subscribe to PREM E-News, send an email to [email protected] Visit the PREM website at www.prem.org.in People’s Rural Education Movement is a registered voluntary organization under the Societies Registration Act of India. PREM is also registered with the Credibility Alliance of NGOs in India.

prem e-news vol 20 july 2016 chacko sir e-news_vol 20_july 2016.pdf · the adolescent girls at tvs...

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