Sikshana Sikshana

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An effort at a breakthrough in the public education system

VisionVision

To evolve a sustainable and replicable model for an effective and decentralized public education system based on good management practices

SIKSHANA

Core ConceptsCore Concepts

Work from within the system to enhance learning levels

Focus on motivational effortsProvide essential inputsTrain, Guide and Empower schools Implement cost-effective innovative ideas

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SIKSHANA

Core ConceptsCore Concepts

Apply proven management techniques: Set quantifiable and measurable targets Assess periodically against goals Apply the ROI Concept Implement Total Quality Management

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SIKSHANA

In brief, Sikshana is…..In brief, Sikshana is…..

A 'Facilitator' rather than a 'Provider' in schools An integrated program for basic skills An effort at evolving a statistically valid model A logical step towards empowerment of schools

and communities leading to the decentralization of the process of delivery of education

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SIKSHANA

Sikshana is not ….Sikshana is not ….

An alternate education model

Hierarchical in structure

A 'Top Down' provider of solutions

Centred around pedagogy

Into frills in the deployment of resources

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SIKSHANA

Profile of a Sikshana School Profile of a Sikshana School

A Sikshana School is one:

which voluntarily comes forward to participate in the program with aspirations

which is willing to analyse and find its own solutions to problems with guidance and support

which is willing to set and work towards quantified goals, and use resources efficiently, commensurate with them

in which the teachers strive to work as a team along with the parents and the community to achieve the goals

where motivation of the teacher and the child towards excellence becomes the focus of all plans and activities

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SIKSHANA

What Sikshana does routinWhat Sikshana does routinelyely

Supply books/ note books, teaching aids etc Motivate kids to excel through prizes and scholarships Deploy additional teachers towards a 'teacher-per-class' norm Train and motivate the existing staff for better performance Build additional class rooms where space is critical Improve the environment in the existing class rooms Ensure power, water supply and sanitation Organize ‘Library Expeditions’ and ‘Dictation Hours’ Provide PC’s and multimedia content Organize sports, cultural events and educational tours Fund talented kids’ education through High School

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SIKSHANA

Some Innovative InterventionsSome Innovative Interventions

Library Expeditions / Dictation Hours for kids House Journal for expression of ideas Selected Children sent to Delhi Video Conferencing with kids in USA Teacher sent to USA on an Exchange Program Summer camp for selected Teachers in a Hill Resort A Note Book PC in each school at the disposal of he

HM Alumni Concept in the offing to ensure sustainability

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Evolution of Sikshana Phases I and II / 2002-2007

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Growth during 2002-07Growth during 2002-07

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Enhancement of Learning LevelsEnhancement of Learning LevelsAssessment of a typical cluster in KanakapuraAssessment of a typical cluster in Kanakapura

((Scores under APF Testing in 2006-07)Scores under APF Testing in 2006-07)

SIKSHANA

School Start 06-07 End 06-07

Kaduhalli 58 77

Padavanagere 54 83

Jyothi Colony 24 74

Hulibele 64 93

Aralalu 45 67

C’Sandra 61 82

Cheelur 74 82

Arosh’halli 54 73

Uyamballi 43 91

Atthihalli 59 77

Harohalli 36 77

Average 52* 77*

Motivational EffortsMotivational Efforts

Rock Climbing Adventure Library Expedition

Kids in Delhi School day

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Technology at WorkTechnology at Work Each School Has been given a minimum of one PC and a Note Book Each School Has been given a minimum of one PC and a Note Book

Teachers do lesson planning on their own Note BooksTeachers do lesson planning on their own Note Books All question papers for the examinations are set on their own PC ‘s by the Teachers

Amoeba by a V th Grade Kid Word Building Game by a Teacher

Joint Efforts at Sound Recording First Draft Letter

in Kannada in Latex

SIKSHANA

Phases I and II- AccomplishmentsPhases I and II- Accomplishments

Coverage reached 10,000 kids in 46 schools- Urban (P I) /Rural (P II) Significant increase in learning levels of the students Results obtained with a sustainable input of Rs 35k per annum Empowerment of schools taking roots Communities take a fresh look at their schools with hope First reverse migration seen from private schools on merit Wider recognition for the Sikshana concepts from reputed

Organizations Scholarships through High School for talented kids Sikshana is now among the top three such interventions in the State

All the above have given us the necessary confidence to take the program forward….

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Pattern of FundingPhases I and II

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Program Expenses in SchoolProgram Expenses in SchoolIn Rs per annumIn Rs per annum

Library / Paper for Dictation 4000 Annual Prizes 2000 Spot Prizes 2000 School Functions 3000 Tours / Field Visits 5000 Teaching Aids 3000 Class Tests/ Examinations 4000 School Maintenance 1000 Induction of Para – Teachers 3000 Other Discretionary Efforts 3000

Total 30000

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Application of Funds 06-07Application of Funds 06-07

Total Expenses 240,000* Number of Children Covered 9,500

Cost per Child 250

* Excludes scholarships for High School Education

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Proposed Application of Funds 07-Proposed Application of Funds 07-0808

Total Expenses 2,880 K* Number of Children Covered 9,500

Cost per Child 300

* Excludes scholarships which cover High School Education and the cost of the Program Director

Escalation over last year’s figures reflect actual expenses being incurred against the budgeted expenses

SIKSHANA

New Initiatives and ProposalsNew Initiatives and Proposals

Independent Audit of Sikshana by a reputed Organization*

Get an Intern to study models for scaling up Sikshana*

Validation of Sikshana over a School Zone - Phase III*

Alternate Adoption Models Set up a Structured Organization to manage

Sikshana Technology Initiatives in the Schools * In progress- Reports under preparation or study

SIKSHANA

Proposed Phase III

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Rationale for Phase IIIRationale for Phase III

State has 48,000 primary schools under the PES The present batch size of 50 is not adequate to

validate the Model developed under Sikshana For better credibility, an entire School Zone needs

to be selected for implementation of the Program Kanakapura School District has about 135 Primary

schools of which 35 are already covered; the next Phase could target the remaining 100 schools

Phase III is hence a statistical validation process for Sikshana over an entire School District, taking it one more step towards universal acceptance

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Scope of Phase IIIScope of Phase III

Schools 100* Children 12,000

*The number of schools works out to 80, when reckoned in equivalent numbers @ one school for 150 students

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Management of Phase III Management of Phase III

Operations headed by a Program Director In overall charge of Sikshana

A Project coordinator at Kanakapura In overall charge of Phase III and the data collection, analysis and dissemination

Five Mentors visiting the schools Visit each school at least once a month and ensure compliance to Sikshana

Three Field Workers providing logistic support Visit the schools as often as needed

A Team of 10 Volunteers to back up the Mentors Visit the schools as needed to get feedbacks which may not be freely available to

Mentors

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Estimated Expenses- DirectEstimated Expenses- DirectIn Rs KIn Rs K

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

1 Program Expenses 2400 2400 2400

2.1 Sikshana Meets 150 150 150

2.2 Sikshana Events 150 150 150

2.3 Training Programs 300 300 300

4 Scholarships - 430 860

Sub-Total 3000 3430 3860

SIKSHANA

Estimated Expenses- IndirectEstimated Expenses- IndirectIn Rs KIn Rs K

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

3.1.1 Program Director - Salaries 600 660 720

3.1.2 Program Director - Transport 280 308 336

3.2.1 Project Coordinator- Salaries 360 396 432

3.3.1 Mentors- Salaries 500 550 600

3.3.2 Mentors – Transport 120 132 144

3.4.1 Field Workers- Salaries 108 119 130

3.4.2 Field Workers- Transport 72 79 86

3.5.1 Volunteers- Transport 240 264 288

Sub-Total 2280 2508 2736

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Estimated Expenses- TotalEstimated Expenses- TotalIn Rs KIn Rs K

Year 1 Year 2

Year 3

Direct Expenses 3000 3430 3860

Indirect Expenses 2280 2508 2736

Total in Rs 5280 5938 6596

Total in US$ 139K 156K 174K

Estimated Enrollment of children 12500 13000 13500

Cost per child in Rs 422 456 488

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Phase III Involves…Phase III Involves…

Cost per child per annum: ~ Rs 500* ($12) Cost per school per annum: ~ Rs 75,000 Validation period : 3 years Cost per annum (Year 1) : Rs 5280K / $ 139,000** 15% increase in School scores or a sustained 70%*** Extension of the scope to High Schools through

scholarships with consequent impact on both Stages

* This is against figures in the range Rs 5000- 15000 reportedly incurred by the State

** Excludes Scholarships * ** In 85% of the schools

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Summing Up…Summing Up…

The aim of Phase III is to prove that a significant and sustained improvement in the quality of education can be obtained at a nominal cost of about Rs 50k-75K per annum per school in the Public Education System

The model is sustainable, once the administrative and financial control of the schools are handed over to the Stake Holders

Adequate funds are available within the existing system to absorb this cost and sustain the program

SIKSHANA

SWOT Analysis SIKSHANA

Organizational StrengthOrganizational Strength

Trust Restructured and strengthened Top Professionals Inducted Executive Committee constituted Monthly Meets of the EC scheduled Program Director and Mentors in Position

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Current Resource BaseCurrent Resource Base

50% from Indigenous sources and 50% from abroad

50% plus from Medium Term Funding SIKSHANA

Financial ViabilityFinancial Viability

Even after Five years, expense per child per annum has not strayed much beyond the original ball park figure of Rs 300

Learning Level enhancements are significant within this moderate resource limits

These numbers are to be viewed in the context of Rs 5000 ++ spent by the State on each student

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SustainabilitySustainability

Sikshana is designed to run for about 3* years in each school; however the field data to justify this is yet to be generated.

* Though Sikshana has been operational for 5 years, we reckon the effective period to be much less, keeping in view the course corrections that we have been carrying out in the formative stages. Hence the first set of schools may yield usable data by 2010-11.

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SustainabilitySustainability

Schools are expected to retain the benefits of the program; external support may no longer be needed

Additional funds needed will be generated by the local community once the viability of the school is demonstrated

Existing funding mechanisms can cover the additional needs as it accounts for 5%; only acceptable delivery models need to be evolved

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OpportunityOpportunity

PLUS(Program of mobilizing Public Support to Primary Schools) existing under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan of Government of India can be used to spread SikshanaS

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Tipping PointTipping Point

Once a school shows promise, the community is expected to rally round it

Success in a few schools zones will spawn a move towards replication in other areas

There is a tipping point for this effort too; it could be as low as a thousand

schools

SIKSHANA

ContactContact

All that you have to do to criticize, praise or demolish these ‘presumptions’ is to get in touch with E S Ramamurthy at

esrmurthy@yahoo.com

A prior look at www.sikshana.org or http://sikshana.blogspot.com may be useful

SIKSHANA