Overview
Location: Bangalore
Duration: 2012 – Present
Before Madam Sarita (a Yuvacharya) came, we used to argue and fight in the class every day. She taught us how to stay calm and concentrate better with meditation. We also learned how to be nice to each other. There are no more fights in the class now. We laugh and enjoy class every day.
Yashoda, 12yrs old, Student, Sriramapura Govt. Girls High School
In India, one out of every three students who begin primary school drops out before finishing. Of those who continue, many don’t demonstrate learning commensurate with their grade. Roughly 30-40% of students in Class IV-VI in government schools do not have the basic ability to read and write. With no one to advise and mentor them, young students from low-income households avoid school and seek refuge in crime, drugs, and child labor.
Thus, in order to improve education delivery, we launched Vidya Shilpa – a program that includes engaging with students, parents, instructors, and school officials. Over 7000 students from across urban slums in Bangalore have benefited from our efforts. In the schools we worked, attendance levels improved, many students who dropped-out re-joined classes, and literacy rates among pupils who couldn’t read or write Kannada increased.
What change did we bring?
- We adopted over 30 government schools in slum areas serving around 7000 children
- Almost 1500 students who were unable to read/write in Kannada became literate through Utthana (special) classes
- Average attendance of students improved by 10%
- Over 250 students who had dropped out re-joined school
- There was 10-30% increase of the parents’ participation in their child’s education across schools
- Over 2700 children participated in medical and environment awareness camps conducted as a part of this initiative
- Students’ personal hygiene and cleanliness, as well as their interpersonal relationships, improved.
- There was a significant improvement in the teacher’s efficacy, which resulted in improved academic performance for students.
Our education initiatives are driven by a committed team of volunteers who draw their inspiration and energy from a powerful breathing technique, the Sudarshan Kriya. Learn the tool from the comfort of your home.
How did we work?
We conducted the following programs as a part of this project:
- Utkarsh Yoga and Medha Yoga for students – Workshops aimed at improving the intellectual and emotional faculties of students and helping them tap into their full potential
- LIVE (Lessons in Value Education) for Teachers/Administrators – An effective workshop to bring self-awareness to values and how to nurture these values in the children they teach
- KYC (Know Your Child) for Parents – Programs that make parents take greater responsibility for themselves, their children, and understand their needs better
- Regular SDMC (School Development Managing Committee) and Parent-teacher meetings to ensure better infrastructure and greater involvement in child’s development
What did we learn?
A substantial section of India has adequate educational facilities. However, in order to achieve optimal learning outcomes, parents and school administration must be urged to become more involved in their children’s education.
How can you contribute?
Mentoring and guidance that a student receives at school are critical to ensure the growth of the student. With your help, we can expand the scope of these projects to include more schools and children.
