1. Seva Mandir Rural Education Program Udaipur, Rajasthan

2. Background: Seva Mandir
Founded in 1968 and education unit for promoting primary education started in 1991
Key stratetic objectives:
To create and strengthen institutions for development
To enhance people’s capabilities for self-development
To create sustainable improvements in the livelihoods base

3. Seva Mandir Education Program [1]
172 Non-Formal Education Centers/Shiksha Kendras running in 5 blocks of Udaipur and Rajsamand district in southern Rajasthan
4769 children (6-14) currently enrolled across 172 Shiksha Kendras
Focus is on building basic reading/writing, comprehension and math skills equivalent to grade III/IV
Instructors follow a practice an interactive and child-centred constructivist pedagogy
Community participation is central to the entire program and Shiksha Kendras and owned by the village community

4. Seva Mandir Education Program [2]
Clearing annual examinations at grade III allows a child to continue with grade IV in government school
Last year 982 children got admissions in government schools across 172 NFE centers
Regular instructor training programs and workshops for improving teaching techniques
Mandatory by-annual and annual performance evaluations for all children
Residential Learning Camps to increase outreach amongst first generation learners and drop-outs

5. Shiksha Kendras: Key Stats
Block wise distribution of Shiksha Kendras/NFE Centers and enrollments:
Block
No. of Shiksha Kendra
(as of 31st Mar ’08)
Enrollment
(as of 31st Mar,08)
Jhadol 41
970
Kotra 43
1235
Kherwara 34
999
Badgaon 23
644
Girwa 31
921
Total
172
4769

6. Learning Camps: Key Stats
21 residential concentrated literacy camps conducted since 2001
Three residential camps of around 2 months [55 days] conducted every year
Average attendance of ~210 children (6-14)
70% of children enroll in Shiksha Kendras after attending the camp
Shiksha Kendra/NFE Center instructors along with Seva Mandir Health Unit conducts/runs the residential camps
Evaluation exam is conducted at the end of learning camp to assess the literacy level [and subsequent follow-up by a social worker for enrollment in a Shiksha Kendra]

7. Seva Mandir: Proposal 2008-2009
Continue support for 20 Shiksha Kendra (rural schools), formerly known as Non Formal Education centers in Badgaon Block
Supporting the initiation of 10 activity cum tuitions centers. These centers will be set up in collaboration with government schools in Badgaon block
Supporting at 25 out of school children of Badgaon to attend three residential learning camps

8. Seva Mandir: Proposal 2008-2009
Activity/tuitions centers [new initiative]
Attempt to partner and improve quality of education in government schools
After school tuition center for middle-school children, class 5-7
Provide children with an opportunity to exercise their creativity, and practically test and learn the concepts read and heard
Help improve performance and reduce drop-out rates of children in/from government schools

9. Budget: Shiksha Kendra/NFE Center
Budget estimate for running one Shiksha Kendra for one year:
Budget Heads
Details
Amount in Rs.
Teacher Stipend
Rs.1400 x 6 months + Rs.2500 x 6 months[1]
23,400
Study Material for students of the NFE
6,000
Infrastructure cost (Rent Repair etc of NFE)
2,500
Evaluation of children (twice a year)
1,000
Instructor meeting
(8 times a year)
Rs.250 per meeting x 8 meetings
2,000
Instructor training
Two trainings a year
3,000
Certification course
5,000
Total
Rs.42,900
[1] The stipend of the instructor at the Shiksha Kendra is currently Rs.1400 and is proposed to be hiked to Rs.2500 from 1st April, This hike is keeping in mind the inflation and also to attract and retain qualified people

10. Budget: Activity Centers
Budget estimate for running one Activity Center for one year:
Budget Heads
Details
Amount in Rs.
Teacher Stipend
Rs.3000 x 9 months x 2 teachers
54,000
Material
Books, Resource Material, Furniture, etc
25,000
Infrastructure cost
3,000
Training
4,000
Miscellaneous
2,000
Total
Rs. 88,000

11. Budget: Learning Camps
Budget estimate for 25 children attending one Learning Camp:
Budget Heads
Details
Amount in Rs.
Boarding And Lodging
(25 children + 3 teachers) x Rs.100 x 55 days
154,000
Study Material
6,250
Medicines and toiletries
3,750
Uniform/clothes for children
Travel
Teachers stipend
@Rs.130 per day x 55 days x 3 teachers
21,450
Teachers training
6,000
Total
Rs.198,950

12. Budget: Overall Proposed budget for 2008-2009 program in Badgaon block
Line Item
Amount (in USD)
One time / Annual
Shiksha Kendras (x20) [1]
19,050
Annual    
Activity Cum Tuition Centers (x10) [2]
19,550
Learning Camps (x3)
13,250
Salary of one staff/cordinator (x1)
2,000
Annual
Total    
$53,850
     

13. Evaluation Criterion
Q.Give 5 clear milestones/goals that we will achieve in the proposal
Ensure quality education to ~600 children
Improving the quality of education imparted in our Shiksha Kendra and Learning Camp, through training of teachers
Build on English language teaching in all the Shiksha Kendras.
Initiate around 10 activity centers in collaboration with government schools to enable students have meaningful and joyful education.
Q. Indication of how will we self assess our progress on these goals
Have evaluation of children’s learning level – twice a year for Shiksha Kendra and end of each learning camp
Through parameters like participation and contribution of community in parents meetings, fees, etc.
Compare the exam results of the students who attend the tuitions classes with those who don’t.