1. SIRAGU Montessori school
Chennai, Avadi.
Primary project steward : Sandeepa Kolli.
Secondary project steward : Swati Venkatraman.

2. Introduction
A Montessori school started by the Suyam Education Trust, Siragu serves the scheduled tribes community in the Avadi region of Chennai. Siragu is the flagship project of Asha for Education- Cleveland. Asha for Education- Cleveland has been donating towards the operating expenses of Siragu to the order of $6000 every year.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

3. School Details Kindergarten to 8th std
NIOS and ICSC syllabus followed.
Montessori style of teaching.
Teaching staff: 14
Non teaching staff: 8
School timings : 9.00 A.M to 3.45 P.M - Monday to Friday.
No selection criteria, free education and accommodation provided to all the students of the near by begging community.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

4. Student enrollment
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

5. Building details School located in rural area Its own building
Playground
6 toilets - 3 boys and 3 girls.
1 kitchen.
seated school buses.
Parents do help on renovation and maintenance of the school building if needed.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

6. Challenges Finding the teaching staff Children need special attention
Parents need awareness
Children need to go out for 9th and 10th.
Expanding the school building.
Finding volunteers.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

7. Government recognition & RTE
Got NOC from State Government and applied for ICSE recognition. In the process of completing the queries from Central Government.
Does not fall under RTE act but do not have any document from government mention this.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

8. Improvements since last visit
Last site visit date : 11/12/2013
The main concern was school’s hygienic conditions. Various skin infections (in pictures) was assumed to be due to this. But was clear explanation was provide by Siragu on call.
Recorded telephonic conversation is available for more details or later reference.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

9. Budget Asha has been funding for Uma (Co founder) salary since 2005.
Uma’s responsibilities include
Director of the school
Defining syllabus
Training teachers on Montessori style of teaching.
Providing special focus on children
Help them adapt more civilized life style.
Educating parents.
Involving in fund rising activities along with Muthuram.
Brains behind siragu.
Rs.1,20,000 goes to Uma, rest operational expenses of the school.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

10. Proposal
In addition to Uma’s salary and regular school operational expenses, school is in need of below items.
New water tank
10th batch waiting to take NIOS and IGCSC exams
Need more class rooms with increasing number of students.
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

11. School Contacts Siragu Montessori School
Palavedu Pettai (via IAF Avadi),
Chennai , Tamilnadu , India
Tel No:
Muthuram :
Uma:

12. Pictures
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018

13. Pictures
Asha Cleveland
11/21/2018