Navsarjan Trust SchoolsGujarat

Maulik NagriOctober 2015

Agenda

Background Our Involvement AZ Current Update DSK Update Residential School Update

– Student Count– Cost Comparison: 2015-2016 vs. 2014-2015– 2015-2016 Proposal

BhimShala Concept– Post Site Visit

Observations during May 2013 site visit

Background

Navsarjan founded in 1989 Goal: provide quality education to Dalit children facing harsh

discrimination in government schools 3 active schools near Ahmedabad, Gujarat Estimated food cost per child INR ~900 per month in 2013-2014 Student count at Navsarjan has dropped to 108 in 2014-2015 due

to change in policy where Navsarjan has decided to start charging students for food

– Historically, Navsarjan increased student count from 2007-2008 to 2012-2013, but now student count has reduced through 2015-2016

Link: http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=840

Our Involvement

Continue to fund teacher salaries, because:– Navsarjan has cited teacher turnover issues– Huge pay gap between Navsarjan schools and private schools

Consider funding BhimShala Prior funding basis: scholarship program to encourage

enrollment of female students– Parents willing to pay for boys’ education, but do not

encourage their daughters for education– Marriage for girls at an early age very common

Site visits in April 2007, January 2009, May 2010, May 2012, May 2013, and July 2015

Partner in “Quality of Education” and “NREGA”

AZ Chapter Update

AZ Chapter volunteers visited Navsarjan (DSK and primary schools) in July 2015

Site Visit Report favorable AZ Chapter plans to spend $15,000 as follows:

– Complete construction of new classroom - $3,000– Offer tuition break to incoming girls to increase attendance for 2 years - $3,000 ( $1,500

per year to support 20 girls)– Add iron bars to windows for safety - $500– Purchase Bedding/Sleeping Arrangements - $500– Add desks to classrooms - $2,000– Buy machines for graduating students from vocational schools - $6,000

Residential School Update

Flat student count in 2015-2016 vs. 2014-2015– despite intense efforts to recruit children

Teacher Count flat at 18; 3 teachers left and 3 hired 2015-2016 Budget for residential schools increased to 41 lacs from

INR 32 lacs in 2014-2015 largely driven by:– decision to operate 3 schools; and

Collaboration with other NGOS planned for Chhotte Bhim Drama Competition,

Other educational initiatives continue as intended: Dalit Shakti Kendra (DSK) vocational schools and Bhimshalas

Continuing difficulty in hiring and retaining teachers– Government schools pay teachers INR 18000 per month whereas Navsarjan

pays INR 8000 per month– Founder indicated strong need for raising teacher salaries

Student Count in 2015-2016

Student count flat in 2015-2016 from 116 in 2014-2015 Seems like continuing difficulty in enhancing student count Student count faces steep decline 2015-2016 compared to 2011-2012

School M F Total School M F TotalKatariya 49 6 55 Katariya 47 4 51Rayka 17 1 18 Rayka 22 0 22Sami 29 6 35 Sami 31 4 35 Total 95 13 108 Total 100 8 108

Katariya 45% 6% 51% Katariya 44% 4% 47%Rayka 16% 1% 17% Rayka 20% 0% 20%Sami 27% 6% 32% Sami 29% 4% 32%Total 88% 12% 100% Total 93% 7% 100%

2014-2015 2015-2016

Cost Comparison: 2015-2016 vs. 2014-2015

Budget requires some follow-up questions

Summary A B C D = C - B E = D / BBudget Actual Budget

Type 2014-2015 2014-2015 2015-2016 Diff INR Diff % Follow-up questions

Program 1,468,975 983,805 1,317,340 (333,535) -34% Food: INR 300K??Staff Salary + Other 2,171,994 2,051,877 2,212,761 (160,884) -8%Administration 387,300 246,749 603,268 (356,519) -144% Electricity: INR 260K?? Repairs: INR 80K??Total 4,028,269 3,282,431 4,133,369 (850,938) -26%

Capital 2,402,700 1,867,452 1,225,000 642,452 34%

Student Metrics 2014-2015 2014-2015 2015-2016 Diff INR Diff %Student Count 108 108 108 - 0%Cost per student per year 37,299 30,393 38,272 (7,879) -26%Cost per student per month 3,730 3,039 3,827 (788) -26%

2015-2016 Proposal

FOR CURRENT DISCUSSION– Option 1: INR 300,000 to fund teacher salaries of residential schools

Pending questions, but not related to salaries Project Steward can audit Salary Expense during upcoming site visit

– Option 2: INR 150,000 to fund teacher salaries of residential schools INR 150,000 to fund operating expenses of Vocational School

– INR 500,000 to fund operation of BhimShalas Pending Site Visit in November 2015

Residential Schools: INR 300,000– Navsarjan has highlighted turnover in experienced teachers as a key challenge– Navsarjan cited ~50% lower payroll at its schools vs. government schools as a major reason for

teacher turnover– Historically, Navsarjan teachers are from local communities and know families and motivate

children to join Navsarjan schools.

BhimShalas (after school education centers): INR 500,000– Provides funding for operating 40 BhimShalas

BhimShala – Concept (1/4)

BhimShala is an after school education center open to all children in the village. BhimShala generally has an attached library, together with a village helper (BhimSevak).

Through practice and experience, Navsarjan learnt that library and availability of good books is an effective measure to enhance children’s engagement in education. Through creation of village libraries, Navsarjan wants to ensure that children’s motivational levels to complete education are maintained. Availability of good books through village libraries outside of formal schooling will go a long way in motivating children to complete their education.

Bhimshala also acts a forum for hosting community cultural programs and children’s theatre competition.

Community cultural programs: With the help of different community themed programs in the surrounding villages, Bhimshalas keep the village children and the community members engaged but also motivate children to seriously pursue education.

Children’s theatre: Navsarjan has trained village children in enacting a theatrical play. Children’s theatre has been found to be effective medium to bring together children from across socio-economic backgrounds. Also, children’s theatrical performance taking place in village public spaces brings together people from different castes and generations together.

BhimShala Count: 512

One-time cost of starting a BhimShala (Educational material, books, etc.): INR 5,000

One time financial support to the volunteer (per BhimShala): INR 5,000

Cost for running one BhimShala (competitions, materials, events, etc.): INR 5,000

Cost for monitoring one BhimShala: INR 6,000

BhimShala – Key Metrics (2/4)

BhimShala Count: 512

One-time cost of starting a BhimShala (Educational material, books, etc.): INR 5,000

One time financial support to the volunteer (per BhimShala): INR 5,000

Cost for running one BhimShala (competitions, materials, events, etc.): INR 5,000

Cost for monitoring one BhimShala: INR 6,000

BhimShala – Benefits (3/4)

Children from marginalized communities get a space to build their strengths and skills in performing arts which most of the times they are not motivated in their government schools.

Children get access to books, scientific toys, and educational materials to enhance their knowledge and deepen their understanding.

Children get opportunity to speak out about discrimination, which they are facing in their schools.

Children across communities (religion and caste) can come together on the principle of equality.

Linkages with the government schools are developed to ensure effective and quality education.

Monitoring of schools with the focus on implementation of Right to Education Act is being done.

Parents get aware about the needs, challenges and issues relating to children’s education about their children.

Ambedkar ideology is spread and awareness about rights is being done through the BhimShalas.

BhimShala – Challenges (4/4)

Ensuring sustainability of running the BhimShala Community not taking ownership of the BhimShala The community and parents do not understand the larger vision. It still seen as organization driven program. High turnover of the educational volunteers (BhimSevak) due to marriage,

job change etc. BhimSevaks are not given support and motivation by the community. School drop out children do not participate in the BhimShalas. Conflicts amongst Dalit communities hinder proper functioning of the

BhimShalas.

Observations during May 2013 Site Visit

Visited school at Katariya and interviewed teachers, students and parents

Navsarjan residential schools do “more with less”– 5 multi-functional rooms; classroom during day; lodge at night; mess

hall at other times in the day– Human waste is re-used as fertilizer for gardens

Schools are well-managed– School management and school staff very motivated– Katariya school generally clean and well-organized– Students have a daily schedule and are taught essential life skills– Cook and Caretaker live on premises

Student interviews reveal confidence and enthusiasm in them Parent interviews reveal enthusiasm to send children to school

Site Visit Pictures 2013-2014

Site Visit Pictures 2013-2014

THANK YOU