$20,000 for a Library in the Education Centre
for Tribal Children in Igatpuri, India.
Aseema Charitable Trust is a Mumbai based non-governmental organization with a mission to equip children from marginalized communities with high quality, value based education enabling development of their limitless potential. Over the past 17 years, Aseema has worked extensively with children living in slum communities in Mumbai and remote tribal communities in Igatpuri.
In Mumbai, Aseema works in partnership with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to create centers of excellence within the public education system. Aseema has adopted the English medium sections of the Pali Chimbai Municipal School, Santacruz (W) Municipal School and Kherwadi Municipal School. In each of these schools, Aseema supports the MCGM by providing teachers who are oriented to Aseema’s child friendly approach, making the learning environment stimulating and safe and creating a culture that respects the child and promotes learning. In addition to academics, the children enjoy a wide range of co-curricular activities, excursions and festival celebrations.
Nutritious meals are offered on a daily basis and health camps are organized as required. Aseema's team of Social Workers also liaise with the communities of our children and work closely with their parents to create home environments that promote learning. In addition, Aseema's schools have facilities for remedial education and counselling. Children’s emotional difficulties are addressed by professional psychologists and teachers are equipped to address challenges faced in the classroom. Aseema's children in these schools have been faring well at the State Board examinations and our alumni are now enrolled in reputed colleges.
In Igatpuri (Maharashtra), Aseema has set up an Education Centre for Tribal Children in the remote village of Awalkheda. The Centre currently has a Pre Primary Section and reaches out to children from the village and eight neighbouring hamlets. In the year 2015, Aseema will commence construction of the Primary and Secondary Sections of this Centre as well.
Aseema reaches out to over 4000 children annually.
In Mumbai, Aseema works in partnership with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to create centers of excellence within the public education system. Aseema has adopted the English medium sections of the Pali Chimbai Municipal School, Santacruz (W) Municipal School and Kherwadi Municipal School. In each of these schools, Aseema supports the MCGM by providing teachers who are oriented to Aseema’s child friendly approach, making the learning environment stimulating and safe and creating a culture that respects the child and promotes learning. In addition to academics, the children enjoy a wide range of co-curricular activities, excursions and festival celebrations.
Nutritious meals are offered on a daily basis and health camps are organized as required. Aseema's team of Social Workers also liaise with the communities of our children and work closely with their parents to create home environments that promote learning. In addition, Aseema's schools have facilities for remedial education and counselling. Children’s emotional difficulties are addressed by professional psychologists and teachers are equipped to address challenges faced in the classroom. Aseema's children in these schools have been faring well at the State Board examinations and our alumni are now enrolled in reputed colleges.
In Igatpuri (Maharashtra), Aseema has set up an Education Centre for Tribal Children in the remote village of Awalkheda. The Centre currently has a Pre Primary Section and reaches out to children from the village and eight neighbouring hamlets. In the year 2015, Aseema will commence construction of the Primary and Secondary Sections of this Centre as well.
Aseema reaches out to over 4000 children annually.
Construction of Phase II of the
Aseema Bal Shaikshanik Kendra, Igatpuri
While looking for land to build a residential center for some of our children from Mumbai, Aseema stumbled upon the realities faced by the tribal people of Igatpuri – a town in Maharashtra. While speaking to people in the villages of this region, they discovered that about 45% of the population here was below 18 years of age. In spite of such a large child population, many wadis or hamlets had no provision for education and those that did, lacked in basic amenities. Older children had to walk for about an hour each day simply to get to school and motivation to continue studying was very low.
The urgency of the need for quality education and the potential of this region drove Aseema to set up an Education Centre for Tribal Children here. Construction of the Aseema Bal Shaikshanik Kendra in the village of Awalkheda began in 2010. The first phase of this project, i.e. the Pre Primary Section was completed in March 2011. Classes have been running successfully since and today, the Centre reaches out to 120 children. Having immersed ourselves in the culture and lives of the people of Igatpuri, Aseema no longer remains an ‘outsider’ in this region. They have become one with the people here and share their vision of an educated, self sufficient and prosperous future. It is their and our dream that the highest quality of education be made available to these children and their families who have been so marginalized.
In the year 2015, we propose to commence the construction of the second phase of the project which will include the Primary and Secondary Section classrooms, a Library, Resource Room, Multipurpose Hall, Indoor Sports Hall, Counselling Room, Medical Room, Prayer Room, Vocational Training Room, Kitchen and Dining Room. On completion of the full project, this centre will offer holistic learning to over 500 children from 2.5 to 18 years of age.
Education Program
The education offered at the Aseema Bal Shaikshanik Kendra is not restricted to any one ‘board of instruction’ but focuses on developing values, understanding, questioning and analytical skills, appreciation of art and beauty and above all, a deep respect for oneself and others and a love for learning.
Pre-Primary Section
Children are admitted to the Centre at the age of 2.5 years. They learn in the Montessori classrooms of the Pre-Primary Section until the age of 6 years. In these classrooms, children of a mixed age group work together and learn from one another. A teacher trained in this approach guides them in the use of scientifically designed educational material. The children are free to choose what they wish to learn and to proceed at their own pace. Learning is, therefore, a process of discovery and is more meaningful for the children.
The student teacher ratio in these classes is 20:1. Some of the subjects children learn are Exercises of Practical Life, Sensorial Activities, Marathi, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Culture, Physical Awareness & Development, Art, Music, Dance, Gardening, etc. The children attend school from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm everyday with time for breakfast and lunch.
Primary Section
At the age of 6+ years, children enter the Primary Section. In this section as well, children learn through activities and hands-on work. As the Centre expands, they will work in mixed age groups (Level A: Equivalent to Standards I-III, Level B: Equivalent to Standards IV-V, Level C: Equivalent to Standards VI-VIII) and the student teacher ratio will be 20:1. At the completion of each level, children will be eligible to appear for a formal exam through the National Institute of
Open Schooling (NIOS). Through the NIOS system Aseema will be able to offer the children greater flexibility and freedom as well as a curriculum that is more relevant to them. While classes for the Primary Section have already begun, it is proposed that a separate centre be constructed for the Primary Section in Phase II. It is further proposed that each classroom be equipped with a computer and a small library. The children will learn to work with their hands from a young age and will be introduced to pre-vocational skills as well.
Secondary Section
At the age of 14 years, children will enter the Secondary Section. They will be encouraged to continue formal schooling and appear for the NIOS Board Secondary Exam which is the equivalent of Standard X. The student teacher ratio will remain 20:1 and subject specific teachers will be appointed as required. Children will also be offered facilities such as a Science Laboratory. Efforts will be made to ensure that every child who graduates from this centre has the skills required to secure a job, support herself and contribute to growth in her community.
Vocational Training
Children would be introduced to Vocational Training at the age of about 10 years. The vocational training programme will be designed keeping in mind projected market requirements as well as industries and trade opportunities in the area. To ensure sustainability of our work, we also plan to make arrangements for rainwater
harvesting. While this would be of direct benefit to Aseema, it would also serve as a model for the village communities. Our aim will be to guide the communities to adopt similar initiatives on their own land by demonstrating simple techniques at our Education Centre.
Budget
The urgency of the need for quality education and the potential of this region drove Aseema to set up an Education Centre for Tribal Children here. Construction of the Aseema Bal Shaikshanik Kendra in the village of Awalkheda began in 2010. The first phase of this project, i.e. the Pre Primary Section was completed in March 2011. Classes have been running successfully since and today, the Centre reaches out to 120 children. Having immersed ourselves in the culture and lives of the people of Igatpuri, Aseema no longer remains an ‘outsider’ in this region. They have become one with the people here and share their vision of an educated, self sufficient and prosperous future. It is their and our dream that the highest quality of education be made available to these children and their families who have been so marginalized.
In the year 2015, we propose to commence the construction of the second phase of the project which will include the Primary and Secondary Section classrooms, a Library, Resource Room, Multipurpose Hall, Indoor Sports Hall, Counselling Room, Medical Room, Prayer Room, Vocational Training Room, Kitchen and Dining Room. On completion of the full project, this centre will offer holistic learning to over 500 children from 2.5 to 18 years of age.
Education Program
The education offered at the Aseema Bal Shaikshanik Kendra is not restricted to any one ‘board of instruction’ but focuses on developing values, understanding, questioning and analytical skills, appreciation of art and beauty and above all, a deep respect for oneself and others and a love for learning.
Pre-Primary Section
Children are admitted to the Centre at the age of 2.5 years. They learn in the Montessori classrooms of the Pre-Primary Section until the age of 6 years. In these classrooms, children of a mixed age group work together and learn from one another. A teacher trained in this approach guides them in the use of scientifically designed educational material. The children are free to choose what they wish to learn and to proceed at their own pace. Learning is, therefore, a process of discovery and is more meaningful for the children.
The student teacher ratio in these classes is 20:1. Some of the subjects children learn are Exercises of Practical Life, Sensorial Activities, Marathi, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Culture, Physical Awareness & Development, Art, Music, Dance, Gardening, etc. The children attend school from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm everyday with time for breakfast and lunch.
Primary Section
At the age of 6+ years, children enter the Primary Section. In this section as well, children learn through activities and hands-on work. As the Centre expands, they will work in mixed age groups (Level A: Equivalent to Standards I-III, Level B: Equivalent to Standards IV-V, Level C: Equivalent to Standards VI-VIII) and the student teacher ratio will be 20:1. At the completion of each level, children will be eligible to appear for a formal exam through the National Institute of
Open Schooling (NIOS). Through the NIOS system Aseema will be able to offer the children greater flexibility and freedom as well as a curriculum that is more relevant to them. While classes for the Primary Section have already begun, it is proposed that a separate centre be constructed for the Primary Section in Phase II. It is further proposed that each classroom be equipped with a computer and a small library. The children will learn to work with their hands from a young age and will be introduced to pre-vocational skills as well.
Secondary Section
At the age of 14 years, children will enter the Secondary Section. They will be encouraged to continue formal schooling and appear for the NIOS Board Secondary Exam which is the equivalent of Standard X. The student teacher ratio will remain 20:1 and subject specific teachers will be appointed as required. Children will also be offered facilities such as a Science Laboratory. Efforts will be made to ensure that every child who graduates from this centre has the skills required to secure a job, support herself and contribute to growth in her community.
Vocational Training
Children would be introduced to Vocational Training at the age of about 10 years. The vocational training programme will be designed keeping in mind projected market requirements as well as industries and trade opportunities in the area. To ensure sustainability of our work, we also plan to make arrangements for rainwater
harvesting. While this would be of direct benefit to Aseema, it would also serve as a model for the village communities. Our aim will be to guide the communities to adopt similar initiatives on their own land by demonstrating simple techniques at our Education Centre.
Budget
