Q.How the mid-day meals program is helping with attendance etc, and how well it is being used. Other than that,.Basically any historical perspective you can get for us about Asha's involvement, and also impact of the recent addition of involvement - midday meals.
Definitely due to Mid Day Meal program, attendance gone up to 90%. Asha Darshan is doing well, with their efforts children of that area which is too remote is being able to get education.Many small children of age 2-4 who are not enrolled are also coming to get food, some times the total no of children increases to the school strength.One more thing I found that MDM program is providing local market to Self Help Groupsas AD is purchasing Chiura (Flat Rice) and Gur (Molasses) from these SHGs. This is very good aspect of this program.The working area of AD is very poor. That is why they are (villagers) very much happy with MDM program of AD. Almost all center, villagers and students were asking to restart the MDM. I strongly feel that this program is very effective to attract children to come school. There is not much interest in getting education. 70 % parents are also not willing to teach their children. The main reason of this is poverty. 7 Out of 11 villages where AD is running its center total no. of 10th pass peopleis below 5. Now with AD’s effort we can see the change.
Q.Does Biju have time to give enough attention to the education component of Asha Darshan, or are there other people dedicated to education?
No, Biju don’t have much time as she is involved in various activities, like attending trainings, seminar, meetings, workshop, Shanti Sena activities and administrative works. I found that she visited only 3-4 centers in last 6 months. One reason can be her health; she is suffering from arthritis and can not do much cycling. But now they have purchased one bike (by taking advance from Savika Niketan)it will help them to do more effectively.
Other than Biju, Pronati ¸ Sabita, Meena and Ambika are working on education project. They are capable to do monitoring. They also do the monitoring of their SHGs,I feel that extensive teachers training is necessary. This year they organized a training program on 16th to 19th July 06. The medium was Assamees. For teachers who are teaching in Boro area,training should be in Boro medium.
Q.How are the parents of children at the centers commenting about our involvement?
I met students at all centers except Nagapur and Anthaibari center (Both centers were closed), But I met with villagers at all centers. They are very happy with AD’s efforts especially education program. Location of 2 centers (Nagapur and Khumgri) is not comfortable thus change is needed (we already talk to villagers to provide comfortable place, they are ok) There is no need to operate Amlaiguri Center as a Government School has been now working well very near to our center and they also proving rice in school. This center will be shifted to Dansrang Villige in January 07. All students of our center will be enrolled in GovtSchool.
Q.Asha has been working with Biju for 5 years now, how has that influenced the area?
It was clearly seen that ADs work is effective, Not only providing education but also by building SHGs. They have formed about 380 ShGs till now and all are functional. SHG is very successful in elimination of money lenders. Over all condition of area is very poor thus it will take few more years. But I feel Malaria is big problem in this area( in last 2 years about 10 students of our centers died with malaria) AD should also work on this seriously .
Q Some children who started off at our Balwadis must be old enough to leave these Balwadis now right? Where are they going? Are they studying somewhere else?
Yes total 46 students enrolled in other schools, which are 3-4 kilometers from ore centers. In Lakhi Narayanpur, Singramari, Satyanaraiyanpur and Namati AD started Primary Classes up to 4. In next session ( Jan07) Khumguri and Anthaibari centers ( Both Balwadi) are going to merge in VentureSchool run by villagers. AD is working on this and trying to enroll all students who are passing in nearest higher school ( Middle or Junior)
Q.Their audited accounts show they spend 1,27,457.00 Rs till March 31. They are asking for 12,00,000 Rs in the renewal for Mid day meal program. Comment.
Yes I checked it with them, now their total expanse on MDM till June is Rs. 254,719.00. This program was not regular. It was stopped in Bihu, in examination periods and on holydays. The balance fund is utilized in giving teachers salary. It was their first experience. Now they have ideas.
I got the break up of Rs.5 per child.
1. 100 Grams Flat rice @ 16/- Per kg = Rs.1.60 Per child .
2. 100 Gram Gur @ 14/- Per Kg= Rs.1.40 Per Child .
3. 100 ML Milk @ 18/- Per Lt= Rs. 1.80 Per Child .
( Amul Baby Milk powder’s one Kg Pack makes 7 Lt standard milk and it prize in hole sale is Rs. 126/-)
4. Transportation, Unforeseen and fuel: 20 Paise per child.
We discussed on budget of MDM from November 06 to December 07 ( total 14 months) and finalized new figures . (pl see new budget attached)
Q. Has it lead to the better attendance? lower drop-out rate ? better nutrition/health?
I checked the attendance register of the period before June 06 when MDM provided to students. Attendance was up to 90%. Teachers and villagers told that other non enrolled students and small kids also come to eat. It is clear indication of better attendance. Many students often eats only rice with salt in this area thus providing Baby Milk is a good nutrition.
Q. Is there is any self sustaining component added tothe education program? Have they added any source of local revenue other than Asha funding?
No, not at all. They not tried whole heartily, I felt that some activities like embroidery, sericulture, mooga culture, poultry and vegetable cultivation can be done for this, SHSs are doing some income generation activities, they should support schools as they can. Only in Satyanarayanpur peoples are contributing with Dhaan ( Rice).
We advised AD team to explore some other ideas to generate some fund for education project,
Q. Also is AID going to fund them this year? If yes,how much is their commitment?
AID provided Rs.218,000 in last year,for SHS activities. Major part of budget is for training of SHG organizers and Salary of 7 Organizers . This year AD requested for about Rs 1,600,000/- from AID , for Salary of 7 Organizers ,10 Volunteers in villages, Vocational Training and other expanses. But this budget is not approved yet.
AD also approaches Indian Collective Action for Exposure Programs of SHGs groups, ICA has sanctioned Rs.239000/- for this year. AD just got one time prier permission from Home Ministry to received foreign funds.
Q. what was the previous installment of money they received from Asha and when was that?
In August 05 Asha Varanasi received Rs. 1,114,074/- and transferred this fund to AD in three installment 6th July, 6th September and 26th September 05.
AD spent this in salary, computer, MDM and other exp.
Q. Do they have enough human resources to run theeducation program? What are the main challenges?
Their team is big and committed, presently they have total 23 teachers but in next year they need 8 more teacher ( Pl see in budget part)
Accounting and reporting was a challenge as all of them are not comfort in Hindi or English, they can wrote their report in Aassamees. Now Pranab can do all these work. He joined recently. AD is not asking salary for Pranab as they requested to AID for this, if AID will not approve the budget, they need Pranab’s salary also.
Teacher Training in Boro Language is other challenge, they are searching resource person for that.
Malaria, Typhoid, Jaundice etc is also a big problem. Distance of SHSs as well as centers are very long, thus monitoring is a tough job, they need small ladies bike. They have requested for that.
Q. local community’s feeling about the A-D school system
Local community is feeling very good about ADs work. They want that AD will start higher classes too as in government school there is no teacher wants to teach.
Q. Where do the children study after completing schooling at A-D schools? (A-D school only till Vclass) Do they go any state run schools?
About 40 students are studying in different schools after passing 4th or 5th class from AD’s Schools. These schools are 3-4 Kilometers from their villages, where small children(Below 10 years) can not go.
I am writing our detailed report as we visited all 11 centers and one new center (with partial support) and will post it to soon. In the mean time I would like to give some more points:
-We reached Asha Darshan on 6th Evening and spent complete 4 days
- Out of 11 centers 9 are running well.
- School time is 9 Am to 12.30 for Balwadi, and 9.30 to 3 PM at Pr. School.
- Due to celebration of Lakhipuja (Lakhmipua), attendance was short. This is a one week function in this
part of Assam.
- MDM provided in 6 centers out of 11 centers from November 05 to June 06 . Shantipur is New center
started in April 06, there are Govt Schools in village Amlaiguri, Hajongbasti and Nagapur they (govt
school) gave Mid day meal to students in Oct to Dec 05 , after that they provided only rice. (but now
they are not giving any thing.) All our students are enrolled in GovtSchool also. Kawali center was
shifted to Pahadpur in April 06, it is new center thus not provided MDM.
- MDM program is good and effective.
- Need to change place of following centers:
Amlaiguri: Govt Scholl is working well, no need to run this center. this center to be shifted in
Dansrang
Nagapur: (was closed) Govt school is functioning well near by this center need to be shifted in
otherside of village as small kids can come to this place wich is 1.5 KMs.
Khumguri: it is out side from village need to be shift in center of village with a Venture
School, (One teacher is teaching students in venture schoolsince 7-8 years without
getting single Paise)
Anthaibari: ( was closed) Present teacher is married and new teacher to be selected in village
meeting,villagers want to merge this school in a venture school run by villagers.
- Pahadpur and Shantipur 2nd Center are new thus extensive supervision is needed.
- Anthaibari, Khumguri , Nagapur and Dansrang ( in place of Amlaiguri) centers are in Boro area , thus
need Boro teaching. Teacher Training in Boro should be provided.
- Education status at these 4 centers is not good, hard effort should be done. AD is working with ABSU
(All Boro Students Union) to monitor these school, as they have strong hold in this area and education
awareness is in their agenda.
-SatyanarayanpurCenter is ideal, Musical instrument, library will be effective here.
- There is a need to start a center with partial support at Shantipur 1stand Garughutu (on people’s
demand) village, after one year AD can provide full support.
- Pranab a new member of Asha Darshan will write reports queerly and will provide it to Asha SV.
- Regular Teleconference should be done to understand the progress with all AD team, they can be
reached at :
- Biju’s Cell no: 91-9435198562
- Pranab’s Cell no: 91-9435509898
- Pronati’s Cell No: 91-9435424480
- Office No: 91-3624-287364
- Health Checkup, Vaccination, Malaria testing is the need of that area, we should think on this.
Status of Students in Different Centers of Asha Darshan
S.No / Name of Center / No of Teacher / Class / Boys / Girls / Total / Today’s Attendance(During Our visit) / Expected Students in Next Session / Requirement of Teachers in Next Session
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 / Khumguri
Lakhinarayanpur
Amlaiguri
Anthaibari
Nagapur
Paharpur
Sigramari
Satyanarayanpur
Hajongbasti
Namati
Shantipur 2nd
Shantipur 1st
Dansrang
Garughutu / 2
2
1
1
2
1
2
5
2
3
2
Nil
Nil
Nil / Balwadi
Up to Class 4
Balwadi
Balwadi
Balwadi
Balwadi
Up to Class 4
Up to Class 5
Balwadi
Up to Class 4
Up to Class 4
Balwadi
Balwadi
Balwadi / 24
59
19
28
27
19
31
129
31
58
90 / 26
52
16
15
30
17
30
113
24
58
55 / 50
111
35
43
57
36
61
242
55
116
145 / 19
45
22
Nil
Nil
4
46
152
33
43
82 / 65
125
Nil
80
50
40
70
265
60
125
155
40
50
40 / 2
4
Nil
2
2
1
2
7
2
3
3
1
2
1
Total / 23 / 951 / 1165 / 32
Revised Budget Details for Asha Darshan for 2006-07
(Period: April-06 to Dec-07)
Project Title:Child Education And Development. Northeast India
I. Honorarium:
- For Staff:
Sl No. / Particular / Detail / Amount
1 / Project coordinator / April-06 to Dec-07 / 1X7000X211,47,000 / 00
2 / Education coordinator / May-06 to Dec-07 / 130002060,000 / 00
3 / Organisers-4 / Do / 43000202,40,000 / 00
Total
/ 4,47,000 / 00- For Teacher:
Sl No. / Particular / Detail / Amount
4 / Primary Teachers-6 / May-06 to Dec-07 / 6230020 2,76,000 / 00
5 / Assistant Teachers-7 / Do / 71800202,52,000 / 00
6 / Pre-School (Balwadi) Teachers-10 / Do / 101500203,00,000 / 00
7 / ME School-1
ME School-4* / May-06 toDec-07
Jan-07 to Dec-07 / 125002050,000
4122500120,000 / 00
00
8 / Additional Teacher-4*
(Shantipur-1&Garughutu-1,Donsruag-1,Anthaibari-1) / Jan-07 to Dec-07 / 410001248,000 / 00
Total / 10,46,000 / 00
Note: * From Jan07 few more teachers will be appointed.
II. Mid Day Meal Program:
Sl No. / Particular / Detail / Amount9 / A. 900 Student Rs.5/- Per
Student for 45 days *
B. 1100 Students Rs.5/- Per
Student for 270 Days** / Nov-06 to Dec-06
Jan-07 to Dec-07 / 900545 202,500
1100X5X270= 1,485,000 / 00
00
10 / Transportation / Do / 10,000 / 00
Total
/ 1,697,500 / 00Note: * We assumed that 900 children out of 951 will attend school. (Working days 45 in 2 months)
** We assumed that 1100 Children out of expected 1165 will attend school. (Working days 270
in one year)
III. Training Program:
Sl No. / Particular / Detail / Amount11 / Teacher Training Twice in a year (40 Persons)
Per person’s expenditure Rs-60/- daily including Resource person & Staff member. (Month- July07 & Dec 07)
A / Food-7 days / @60 per day / 7406016,800 / 00
B / Resource Persons Fees-2 / @1000 per day / 27100014,000 / 00
C / Accommodation, & Travel Air and Bus.
Including Resource persons, Teachers etc. / 20,000 / 00
Total expenditure for one time / 50,800 / 00
Next Time expenditure / 50,800 / 00
Total
/ 1,01,600 / 00IV. Other Requirements:
Sl No. / Particular / Detail / Amount12 / Shishu Mela / Participants Student & Parents –500
A / Food / Each participants Rs-40/- for 3 days / 40350060,000 / 00
B / Transportation / Bus –2 times (2X 10000/-) / 20,000 / 00
C / Additional / Including Magazine print, Mike, Tent for 3 days. / 20,000 / 00
13 / Play Materials at 13 School Center / Each center-Rs-1500 X13 / 13150019,500 / 00
14 / Musical Instrument / For Satayanarayanpur center / 5,000 / 00
15 / Office Stationary / Per Month-1000. From Nov-06 to Dec-07 (14 Months) / 10001414,000 / 00
16 / School Stationary
A / Paper / Each center-1000 X 13 Centers / 10001313,000 / 00
B / Copy / Total / 10,000 / 00
C / Chalk, Register book etc. / Each center-500 X 13 / 500136,500 / 00
D / Black Board-20 Piece / @400/- / 400208,000 / 00
17 / Education Material-500 / Books for school children each Rs-100.(Except Balwadi) / 50010050,000 / 00
18 / Health care, Medical checkup, Weight Machine-12 Centre / Satyanaryanpur : 6000/-
Rest 12 centers X 3000 = 36000/- / 42,000 / 00
19 / Teachers Monthly Meeting. / Per Month Expenditure-Rs-500 X 14 Months / 500147,000 / 00
20 / Celebration / National Festival Expenditure for 3 times (15th Aug / 26th Jan / 2nd Oct) / 100031236,000 / 00
21 / Telephone & Internet / Nov-06 to Dec-07 @3000/-PM / 30001442,000 / 00
22 / Electricity / Do @ 500/- PM / 500147,000 / 00
23 / Office Rent / Do @ 2000/- PM / 20001428,000 / 00
24 / Postage / Do @300/-PM / 3001442,00 / 00
25 / Newspaper / Do @300/-PM / 3001442,00 / 00
26 / Furniture / Almira, Table, Chair, Water Filter / 20,000 / 00
27 / Miscellaneous / 10,000 / 00
28 / Traveling Local & outside / Including Assam, Asha Meetingsother Conferences / 40001456,000 / 00
29 / Two Wheeler-2 / For Monitoring Center and SHGs / 43000286,000 / 00
30 / Bi-Cycle-4 / For Volunteers / 2500410,000 / 00
Total
/ 5,78,400 / 00Budget Summary:
1. Honorarium of Staff- 447,000.00
2. Honorarium of Teachers- 1,046,000.00
3. Mid Day Meal Program- 1,697,500.00
4. Training Program-101,600.00
5. Others- 578,400.00
Grand Total Rs.3,87,0500.00 For April 06- December 07
MEMBERS OF ‘ASHA ASSAM’ (Education Program)
S.No /DESIGNATION
/ NAME / Honorarium (PER MONTH)1 / Project Coordinator / Biju Borbaruah / 7000.00
2 / Educational Coordinator / Pranati Dhar / 3000.00
3 / Organizer / Himani Boro / 3000.00
4 / Organizer / Ambika Hajong / 3000.00
5 / Organizer / Meena Rabha / 3000.00
6 / Organizer / Sabita Roy / 3000.00
7 / Primary Teacher at Lakinarayanpur / Dulaal Mitra / 2300.00
8 / Primary Teacher at Namti / Kamal / 2300.00
9 / Primary Teacher at Satyanarayanpur / Naresh / 2300.00
10 / Primary Teacher at Satyanrayanpur / Bimal / 2300.00
11 / Primary Teacher at Satyanarayanpur / Bodreshwar / 2300.00
12 / Primary Teacher at Shantipur 2nd / Dilip / 2300.00
13 / Assistant Teacher at Satyanaranpur / Prabhat / 1800.00
14 / Assistant Teacher at Satyanaranpur / Geeta / 1800.00
15 / Assistant Teacher at Namati / Jadab / 1800.00
16 / Assistant Teacher at Shantipur 2nd / Savitri / 1800.00
17 / Assistant Teacher at Lakhinarayanpur / Neelima / 1800.00
18 / Assistant Teacher at Singramari / Maloti / 1800.00
19 / Assistant Teacher (New) / For Shantipur 2nd / 1800.00
20 / Balwadi Teacher at Hajangbasti / Prajola / 1500.00
21 / Balwadi Teacher at Hajangbasti / Champa / 1500.00
22 / Balwadi Teacher at Khumguri / Ansoli / 1500.00
23 / Balwadi Teacher at Khumguri / Basanti / 1500.00
24 / Balwadi Teacher at Anthaibari / Beena / New teacher / 1500.00
25 / Balwadi Teacher at Nagapur / Urmila / 1500.00
26 / Balwadi Teacher at Nagapur / Lakshmi / 1500.00
27 / Balwadi Teacher at Amlaigur/Dansrang / Hironi / 1500.00
28 / Balwadi Teacher at Namati / Meena / 1500.00
29 / Balwadi Teacher at Paharpur / Reeta / 1500.00
30 / Middle Education Teacher at Satyanarayanpur / Bedbahadur / 2500.00
31 / Middle Education Teacher –New / For Satyanaranpur / 2500.00
32 / Middle Education Teacher-New / For Satyanaranpur / 2500.00
33 / Middle Education Teacher-New / For Lakhinarayanpur / 2500.00
34 / Middle Education Teacher-New / For Lakhinarayanpur / 2500.00
35 / Additional Teacher-New / For Shantipur 1st / 1000.00
36 / Additional Teacher-New / For Garughutu / 1000.00
37 / Additional Teacher-New / For Anthaibari / 1000.00
38 / Additional Teacher-New / For Donsrang / 1000.00
- Vallabh on 16th Oct 06 ( asha varanasi)