APNA SKOOL NEWS LETTER (May – August 2013) We express our heartfelt gratitude to all well-wishers, donors, small and large, sponsors in the past and present, and partners in our effort to educate children of migrant workers, who represent one of the most severely underprivileged groups in India. Apart from the abundant love and monetary support, we look forward, as always, to your comments and suggestions.
Primary Educational Activities As ever, enrolment in Apna Skool centres continued to be robust in this period, with as many as 563 children enrolled across 27 centres spread over a large part of rural Kanpur where there are brick kilns. The table in Appendix A summarises the enrolment during the period May –August 2013. Apart from regular classroom instruction, we strive to offer additional resources in various forms, both to address the lack of continuity in educational opportunities that arises from the very migrant nature of the children’s parents, and to support related vocational training programs to address future employability (often, understandably, a concern for their parents). 1. Apna Skool coordinators travelled to the villages from which some of the largest contingents of migrants arrive in Kanpur. The primary intent of such visits is to ensure that children enrol in their local village schools and are otherwise not completely cut off from an educational environment once their families leave the Kanpur area. Of the subset we have visited (in their respective villages) we have been able to keep an updated tracking list of up to 40 students from the Hameerpur district, UP and up to 26 students from interior Bihar districts. A full list of these students and their villages is provided in Appendix B. 2. Several of our alumni remain in the Kanpur area, whom we have enrolled in local schools. We consider this to be an especially noteworthy symptom of the success of our programs because this implies that the first contact with an educational environment that many of these children had through the Apna Skool centres has spurred them on to continue down this path. Appendix C comprises a list of 47 such students, along with details of the schools in which they are enrolled. 3. Vocational training programs have been a mainstay of the Apna Skool philosophy since its inception. On May 31st, along with a trip to the Kanpur zoo (see section on tours), children used chalk powder and plaster of Paris in moulds to make chalks. This exercise had the added benefit of teaching children about sustainability and recycling. In addition, computer classes were run in the evenings, especially for the subset of 47 students who have now graduated from Apna Skools and are enrolled in regular schools.
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4. Interactions with parents have always been considered a critical component of educating their children. A community meal, in which all children, their teachers and parents took part, was arranged along with the school’s Annual Function in June 2013. The discussion was led by Vijaya didi, and parents were asked to get involved, especially in ensuring continuity of their children’s education once the migrant families return to their village. The discussion mainly centred on the multifaceted ways in which educating a child impacts future development. 5.
Examinations for children in classes 1, 2 and 4 were held for the ~563 students at the centres during the period May 11th-18th. Contrary to the usual sense of nervousness children usually have during exam periods, the children were positively overjoyed and enthusiastic about this event, which speaks highly to the interactive and enjoyable classroom experience they have gained at Apna Skool. Children from classes 3 and 5 children were enrolled for tests monitored by National Institute of Opening Schools (NIOS), which will provide relevant certification. We are very proud to note that 7 students (see Appendix D for names) who have been in the Apna Skool system for years have successfully passed their 10th and 12th class UP board exams (5th & 8th June). This is a momentous occasion for families that have been illiterate for generations.
6. The school year ends and summer vacation starts between 10th-20th June to coincide with the onset of the monsoon season, when the brick kilns close and children return to their villages. A majority of the centres also close at the same time, and restart in mid-October, when the workers return. The closures notwithstanding, other activities, including teacher training and development and follow-up in native villages, continue. In addition, six centres continue functioning, after a summer break of two weeks, for several children that remain in the Kanpur area– the centres that remain open are listed in Appendix E.
Teacher Training Workshop (May 3 – 5) Venue- Swami Vivekananda Vidyalaya Trainer- Sushil Joshi (Eklavya, M.P) Subject- Science & Social Study All Apna Skool teachers participated in the Teacher Training Workshop conducted by Sushil Joshi from Ekalavya. On the first day, teachers were taught the use of microscopes as
well as species identification techniques. On the second day Sushil Joshi demonstrated the use of Chromatography to isolate Chlorophyll which yields the green colour of onion leaves. The chemicals properties were discussed. On the third day, after learning about Chandrakala, discussions ensued on teaching methodologies. The lively discussion included several teacher suggestions on how they might use what they learnt in this workshop in future classes.
Apna Skool Newsletter May – August 2013
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Tours, Excursions & Events
A trip to the Kanpur zoo was organised on May 31st. All class 1 and 2 children of Apna Skool participated in the visit, which comprised an educational walk through enclosures for animals ranging from monkeys, and birds to lions, rhinos and tigers. The trip included a delightful lunch of Poories, Halwa and fruits and plenty of singing sessions together with Vijaya didi. On 11th of June Apna Skool students were taken on an excursion to popular sites in Kanpur city – the stops included a 140 year old church, the Ganesh Udyan Park, the Rev Mall at Parade (historic merchant area of Kanpur) and the glass house exhibition at Moti Jheel. For many children, this was the first visit to a church. More pertinently, migrant labourers’ children seldom get to see sites such as these, considered to be the privilege of only the middle and upper classes. It is worth noting that such visits instil a level of joy that both the parents and the children then associate with the schooling process itself. June marks the end of term, and a graduation ceremony with an annual function is held each year. This year, the function was held at the Tatiyaganj centre and the chief guests were Asha Shukla Ji and Tripathi Ji, who handed out report cards and prizes (a story book and game of Ludo). Children participated in a Tilak ceremony, which also included the parents, and the event ended with a cultural program.
Apna Skool Newsletter May – August 2013
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Visitors to Apna Skool Over the years, we have had the pleasure of hosting several well -wishers, donors and media representatives who have shown an interest in our three-decade old, ongoing effort to affect social change by educating the next generation of one of the most exploited class of workers in India – the migrant population. This year, we hosted visits for the following people: Shahira didi, who is a correspondent of The Tribune newspaper, visited the Apna Skool centre at Tatiyaganj on 16th May. Shahira didi, who hails from Bihar – a state from which a majority of the migrant workers arrive in Kanpur – witnessed a Science experiment conducted solely by the children of the centre, followed by recitations of actions songs and poems in their native language, Bhojpuri.
We had a Project review meeting of the Asha Kanpur chapter on 29th and 30th June, on the occasion of the visit by Thierry of Mala Foundation. Also present in this meeting were Sirish Bhaiya and Susan didi. Accompanying Thierry was Shri Annamalai, Manager of the Mala foundation run Gandhi School at Puduchery. Apna Skool children interacted with two children from Gandhi School, who came with Thierry Bhaiya and Shri Annamalai. Even though there was a language barrier between the children from Apna Skool and Gandhi School, Vijaya didi facilitated the interactions by standing in as a Hindi-Tamil translator for all involved. Apna Skool children from various centres gathered at the premises of Apna Ghar – the Apna Skool campus at Tatiyaganj – at 5PM on 30th June for a cultural show by the children and an evening meal for all. The Apna Ghar (hostel) children acted as perfect hosts to the visitors and entertained all present.
Newsletter compiled by Sangeeta Verma APNA SKOOL Team, Jagriti Bal Vikas Samiti, Kanpur http://apnaskool-kanpur.blogspot.in/ http://jagriti.seeyourimpact.org/ http://balsajag.blogspot.com/
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Appendix A – Student enrolment in Apna Skool Centres Enrolment Centre Name
Teacher(s)
Operating time May
June
July
August
1
Dha mikheda (2 Centres)
1- Urmi l a Kashyap 2-Ma nju Bala
9:00 – 2:30 (Ma y) 8:00 11:30 (Jun)
42
42
42
46
2
Pa nki Power House (2 Centre)
1-La xmi Verma
8:00 – 1:30
48
40
35
35
3
Pa nki Pa dhav (2 Centre)
1- Ha rda s 2- Renu Ti wari
12:30 – 5:00 (Ma y) 3:00 – 6:30 (Jun)
35
35
40
46
4
Tamsaha (Primary School)
1- Ra ks ha Bajpai
7:00 – 8:00
21
24
25
5
Tamsaha (Tuition)
1- Ami t (Ma y)/ Ra ksha Ba jpai(Aug)
4:00 – 5 :00
8
29
6
Ta ti ya ganj- 1
1- Sa nyogita Yadav
10:30 – 4:00
28
21
7
Ta ti ya ganj- 2 (2 Centres)
1- Ni rma la Ka shya p (Ma y) / Al ok Gupta(Vol Jul Aug)
10:30 – 4:00
28
29
8
Ka l ra -1 Apna Skool
1- Pus hpa Devi
8:00 – 1:00
25
23
9
Mera Apna Skool
1- Ra ks ha Bajpai
8:00 – 2:00
21
20
10
Vi s hnu Apna Skool (2 Centres)
1-Cha ndani Kushwaha
9:30 – 2:00
35
35
11
Avon Apna Skool
1- Ma ni sh
10:00 – 2:30
26
26
12
Mura ri Apna Skool (2 Centres)
1-Na jma
7:30 – 1:00
34
33
13
Sa ra n Apna Skool
1- Pra deep Yadav
8:00 – 12:30
25
24
1-Sus hil Kumar
9: 00 – 12:30
25
24
1-Shya mbabu
1:00 – 5:00
30
24
14 15
Ra utepur – Bhola B.K. Ma ha rajpur Apna Skool
2-Ami t
16
Sa mra t Apna Skool
1- Omka nt Dwivedi
8:30 – 12:30
31
31
17
Ka l ra -2 Apna Skool
1-Pra deep Ya dav
12:30 - 3:30
20
21
18
Ka l ra -3 Apna Skool
1- Si ta (Ma y) /Pushpa Devi (Jul-Aug)
11:00 – 3:00
30
20
19
Anki t Apna Skool
1- Sudha Gupta
9:00 – 2:00
28
10
20
Lodha r Apna Skool
1- Ba bl i
9:00 – 1:30
23
23
21
Juhi Apna Skool
1-Suni ta Sriastava
2:00 – 5:00
Total
Number of Students
Apna Skool Newsletter – Appendices May – August 2013
563
510
10
11
11
23
25
21
23
23
23
210
244
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Appendix B – Apna Skool alumni – present schools Class
No. of Students
Name of Centre
Name of the current School
B.Com(II)
1
Sarsaiya Ghat (Mahila Park)
D.A.V. Degree College, Kanpur.
1-Rahul 2-Tarannum 3-Soniya 1-Shubham 1-Sarvesh 2-Arti 1-Mansi 2-Nahid 3-Shivam 1-Manvi 2-Jyoti 3-Kajal 4- Komal 5-Nilesh
11 10 9 8
3 1 2 3
Dhamikheda Apna Skool
Jawaharlal Nehru Inter College, Kalyanpur, Kanpur.
7
5
1-Ram Singh
11
1
Tatiyaganj-2 Apna Skool
Gaytri Devi Gyan Manjusha Inter College, Nankari, Kanpur
1-Sanjana 1-Rampyari 2-Tulsi 3-Vishambar 1-Mohini 2-Pavan 1-Dharti 2-Ganga 3-Anju 1-Sandeep 2-Akash 1-Kuldeep
11 10 9 6 5 2
1 3 2 3 2 1
5
1
10 8 7
1 3 3
Kalra -1 Apna Skool(B.K)
1
Avon Apna Skool (B.K)
Name of Student 1-Rinki
1-Laxmi 1-Monu 1-Guddu 2-Akash 3-Shankar 1-Ajay 2- Vijay 3-Amit 1-Manish
8
1-Niranjan 1-Rahul
7 7
1-Umashankar 1-Ajay 1-Kishan 1-Sanni
Mahaveer Ucchatar Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Kanpur Panki Apna Skool
Vidhut Parishad InterCollege, Panki, Kanpur Panki Mandir Education Centre, Panki, Kanpur
Adarsh Inter College, Tatiyaganj, Kanpur.
1
Vishnu Apna Skool (B.K) Rama Dental
8
1
Ankit Apna Skool
2-Kanhiya
8 7
2 1
Tamsaha Apna Skool
2- Suraj
6
2
Tamsaha Apna Skool
1- Soni
9
1
Gol Chauraha Apna Skool
Ashok Vidhya Mandir, Rawatpur, Kanpur
1-Vishal
9
1
Jarauli
Sardar Patel Academy, Jarauli, Kanpur.
Apna Skool Newsletter – Appendices May – August 2013
1
(B.K)
Pandit Ramkumar Vidyapeet Inter College, Chaubeypur, Kanpur.
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Appendix C – Education continuity in native villages In order to facilitate the process, our co-ordinator Shri B N Sharma visited Hameerpur District villages (22 – 27 July) and Shri L K Shukla visited villages in Bihar (23 -29 July). In the spirit of the Right to Education (RTE) law, admissions into village schools should be guaranteed and our coordinators work to ensure that this right is not abrogated for migrant workers children in their native villages. In addition, support, in the form of textbooks and stationary is also provided where needed. Below is the list of children that were enrolled in their local villages: Hameerpur District, UP (40 villages) Village - Maudaha, Hameerpur - 4 Name of Student Class 1- Abhilasha; 2- Sita 2 1-Durvesh; 2-Pavan 1 Village- Atraiyadera, Hameerpur - 8 Name of Student Class 1-Rajkumar 6 1- Bhagvandas 5 1- Rajani 3 1-Satyavati 2 1-Ramdas; 2- Brajesh; 31 Arun; 4- Sapna Village- Artra, Hameerpur - 4 Name of Student 1- Priyanka 1- Daya Shankar 1- Ankit; 2-Shiv Shankar Village- Vivar, Hameerpur - 4 Name of Student 1- Rachana 1-Khusboo; 2-Gudiya; 3- Manoj
Class 6 5 2 Class 3 2
Village- Koda, Jahanabad (Fatehpur) – 4 Name of Student Class 1- Ajay 4 1- Anjali 3 1- Raja; 2-Sunil 2 Village- Bharua, Sumerpur – 2 Name of Student 1- Suraj 1-Ajay
Apna Skool Newsletter – Appendices May – August 2013
Interior Bihar (26 villages) Village –Tilari, Bihar 5 children of Kalra 1 Apna Skool admitted in Tilari Govt Primary School
Village –Madva, Bihar 5 children of Kalra 2 Apna Skool admitted in Madva Primary School.
Village –Simariya, Bihar 7 children of Kalra 1 Apna Skool enrolled in Simariya Primary School and 5 children of Kalra 2 Apna Skool were enrolled in a Church run School near Simariya village.
Village –Pali, Bihar 12 children of Vishnu Apna Skool were admitted in Pali primary School
Village –Gola Barraji, Bihar 2 children got admitted in the Primary School of the village and
Village –Jamugawa, Gaya, Bihar 4 children got enrolled in the local Primary School.
Class 2 1
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Appendix D – Successful UP Board Exam graduations CLASS 10th -
Dhamikheda Apna Skool 1. Soniya 2. Rahul 3. Tarranum Panki Apna Skool 4. Sanjana
CLASS 12th -
Dhamikheda Apna Skool 5. Geeta 6. Sahil 7. Rajani
Appendix E – Centres that remain open year-round 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Dhamikheda Apna Skool Panki Apna Skool Panki Padhav Apna Skool Tatiyaganj Apna Skool Kalra –III Apna Skool Tamsaha Apna Skool
Apna Skool Newsletter – Appendices May – August 2013
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