EduAid

Reports

2008-04-24T08:27:00.017+05:30

This week we received annual "progress" reports for two of our programme's children, Maumita (Level "Kaw", first year of school, early childhood) and Rekha (Level One or Year one of Primary). Indian national and state level curriculum strictly enforces a marks/grades-based system with mid-term and annual examinations on the basis of which students may "pass or fail" in different subjects which determines promotions to higher classes or levels. In doing so, it often tends to create drop-outs and puts too much emphasis on competitiveness and examinations rather than learning. However, in practice, depending on teachers and school policy, usually at the lower levels, students are encouraged to learn in a more relaxed way, although that has increasingly becoming rare owing to many factors, of which parental and societal pressure is perhaps one of main factors.

Above: Moumita
Left and below: Moumita's report card.

The cover reads:
"Mataji Ashram Primary School, Garia, 24 Parganas", "Progress Report, Early Childhood section, 2007-2008", "Child name: Moumita Haldar, Level: "Kaw" (the first letter of the Bengali alphabet, read as Level A), Roll no. 19"

Cover page

Mark Sheet

The inner mark sheet shows the marks Moumita achieved in various subjects in two different exams, the mid-term and the annual. The subjects taught are: Bengali, English, Mathematics, "Common Knowledge" and Art.

The first three subjects are assessed for every term with a maximum mark of 100 out of which 30 marks are obtained from Homework (10), Classwork(10) and Oral (10). Upto 70 marks can be obtained from written examination at the end of the term.

Moumita achieved 91 in Bengali, 95 in English and 89 in Mathematics. "Common Knowledge" seems not to have been assessed whereas in "Art" she achieved a 20 out of 25 marks. She has been marked as the fourth rank in the class for 2007-2008 and also promoted to the next year level.

The comments page bears signatures of the class teacher and Principal and a signature of her father. The class teacher noted in the first term that she (Moumita) should try harder next time.

Comments page

Rekha, first grader

Cover page of the 2007-2008 Report

Mark sheet

First Year Mark Sheet is more detailed with the following subjects listed: Bengali, English, Mathematics (total marks: 100, 90 for written and 10 for oral), History, Geography, Science (total marks: 50, 40 for written and 10 for oral), and Painting and Drawing (total marks: 25). Rekha's achieved scores are:

Bengali: 89/100
English: 96/100
Maths: 92/100
History: 43/50
Geography: 45/50
Science: 50/50
Painting and Drawing: 24/25

One the same page, at the bottom, Rekha's class teacher commented: "(She must) try to make more progress in all areas". She has been promoted to the next year level. Her "behaviour" is marked as "good" and attendance as "regular".

Going by Maumita and Rekha's reports, we saw very positive results (a pleasant surprise!): both seem to be among the "top" students in their respective classes:. Maumita has been ranked "fourth" while Rekha is "third". If this is an indicator of anything , it certainly is that of the fact that the children are enjoying their learning experience and are diligent learners. We hope their enthusiasm for learning stays intact while at the same time we hope the system of education in schools they attend evolve to a more student-oriented holistic approach rather than too much emphasis on exams and ranks in class.

To that end, we have plans to shift the EduAid children to Narmada School where although owing to community and legal rules exam based curriculum is followed, the actual practice of education under Ms. Shanta Mukherjee seems to be the most child-friendly learning environment I have seen so far in these parts. Secondly, we have plans to turn our old office which is lying unused for two months now to a training centre where we have furniture to accommodate students to take part in learning activities. We hope we are soon able to organise training sessions for EduAid and other children/professionals to learn better English, computer skills and mathematics.

In order to do so, we are looking for support financially to keep the centre running (most of which is already sponsored by our company: rent, electricity, etc.), but mainly for staffing and equipment such as computers. We have decided to form a NGO and hire a project coordinator and assistant to run the place and we expect various professionals both from our company and outside to help voluntarily in the learning experience. This may also provide the opportunity for us to experiment with learning practices of international schools particularly if our trainers are exposed to lesson planning , delivery and assessment based on and inspired from holistic curricula framework.

What is particularly exciting is that this experiment can expose our software developers to the experience of actual teaching and training. With their time commitment, they may be able to earn hours of "holiday" for their involvement. This will be quite a full cycle for developers in not only understanding education domain knowledge to support educators but also interact and be integrated with a learning community locally and abroad.

From little things, big things grow...

2007-09-01T03:12:00.000+05:30

I would like to "announce" the beginning of our sponsorship programme!

This is how it happened....in our family we have mum, dad and 6 kids (5 sisters plus me!). We all live here in Melbourne, Australia. Last week it was my sister Col's birthday. In recent years we have set up a "policy" of one person being responsible for another person's birthday gift, there is a budget, a wishlist, a bit of shopping (yuk!) and then a family celebration and presentation of gift. Well, my wife and I were responsible for Col's gift and when we said (whaddya want?) she said "A Chook or a goat for a poor village"! (Chook is Australian for chicken!)

She has done this before, I think for Christmas - sponsored an animal for a 3rd World village. So we said "sure" and asked how we arrange it.
At this time I thought I would show her what we were doing with EduAid and I showed her some of the photos and the blog etc. Immediately she said "that's my present - I want to sponsor them." So we said "Why not?". She selected to sponsor Maumita (below) and asked if she can offer more money for others.

And that is how simple it was!

I know that within Shubho and my families we already have people eager to sponsor others. What we will do is try to make it as official and interactive as possible - we will use technology - take photos, post blogs etc to inform people of what there donated money is doing and exactly who it is helping.

I can't wait for the day that we release this to schools and to the wider public - match students in Western schools up with kids and families who aren't so fortunate to have a uniform, books, school lunch or even school.
Some big discussions have already begun...in the words of Paul Kelly..."From little things, big things grow".....

2007-08-25T15:30:00.000+05:30

On 23rd, I visited a school called Narmada School in south Calcutta looking to explore ways to expand the EduAid programme...

23rd August 2007: Narmada School

2007-08-17T19:34:00.000+05:30

Another picture of Maumita in school uniform. EduAid programme has come about at a very good time for her: her family was finding it hard to sustain her education in Calcutta, and was already considering going back to their village where it would be cheaper. Apparently it was a difference of only Rs. 200 (US $5) per month.

Eduaid student: Maumita

2007-08-17T19:15:00.000+05:30

Maumita in school uniform

Launching EduAid

2007-08-13T22:42:00.001+05:30

Why EduAid?

A society that does not take care of it's marginals is a society bound to be marginalised. While the implications, philosophical, moral or historical of the previous "thought" or statement may be debated, I am of the opinion that the degree of marginalisation of individuals, families or groups in a society should be the benchmark for ascertaining the quality of life rather than the so-called living standards parameters or statistics we are bombarded with everyday through mass media.

What we do to change it for better therefore should be an integral part of our professional activities. This I think is true for success in business too, not only in politics or social service vocations.

At Inquiry Learning Pty Ltd / Folios International, we are trying to do our best to make it an integral part with our People Aid programme. It is a very small step, to be honest, a minute fraction of our earnings. But it will make a difference,... and we will continue to pursue this in the future.

It gives me a sense of achievement today to announce that this month, in the 60th year of Indian independence, we have at last been able to reach a fraction of earnings from software development for schools, international and IBO schools, to support the education of the needy, the marginals who were just one generation ago mostly landless agricultural labourers, and now are a part of India's teeming urban poor population.

Forgive me the clichés, but the significance of this new beginning I hope will inspire us and others to walk down this path: yes, I feel a better sense of achievement than even the first implementation of InquirySys at Renaissance College, the software we developed for years, or the launch of FolioMaker version 2.05 or version 3 (see http://www.foliosinternational.com) ...

Here we are using some of those hard-earned dollars from some of the most advanced educational institutions in East Asia, India and Australia to help fund the education of little girls and boys who are can barely hope to study in the "cheapest" of schools with absolutely no facilities to talk about...

Thank you all who have made this possible ...

Here's the list of beneficiaries of our EduAid programme:

Anusua Modak, female, age: 5 years old
Class (Grade): Kindergarten 2
Address: Garia, Calcutta, WB, India

Daughter of Sukhendu Modak (aka Gopal), profession: helper for a motor repair mechanic (also recently we have recruited him as a night watchman at our development centre).

Gopal earns about Rs. 1500 per month at his day job, and now supplements his income at our centre as night watchman earning another Rs. 1500 for sleeping-in (except on weekends). So his total income is Rs. 3000 (approximately US $75) per month.

Living conditions:
Gopal lives with his wife and daughter in the inherited portion of house which is about 2000 square ft. (two rooms) with asbestos roofing and only drinking water source is from a deep tube well. The family of three spends about Rs. 175 per month for electricity.

No family savings, no medical insurance or allowances.

Some recommendations:
i. Medical insurance (About Rs. 1000 ... annual premium?)
ii. Private coaching / tuitions especially for English may soon be required (from Grade 1). Usually costs Rs. 250/- a month. But we could cover this if our developers sign up for active community work.
iii. A Rs. 750/- for buying lunch every month at school
iv. Estimated Rs. 500/- for text books and stationeries.

Overall we are looking at about Rs. 2500 (approx. US $60) per month to support Anusua's continuing education.

Jui Das, female, 17 years old
Completed Higher Secondary (class/standard 12), just joined college for bachelor's degree programme
Address: Garia, Calcutta, WB, India

Daughter of Jashoda Das, profession: domestic help earning about Rs. 2500 per month (working at 6 places including doing dishes at our centre). Rs. 2500 is about approximately US $60. Jashoda is a single mother who has managed so far to give an education to her only daughter, Jui. Jui is good at studies and we hope one day she will complete college and become a professional in whichever field she chooses.

Living conditions:
Mother and daughter lives in rented quarters which is about a 130 square feet cell of a room and includes a partitioned kitchen and has to share common lavatory built away from their room with three other families including the house owner. The roofing is made of terracotta tiles (leaks often in the Monsoons). Drinking water comes from tube well and washing/cleaning water from open well. The rent is Rs. 550 a month and electricity about Rs. 125, a total of Rs. 675 (US $ 17 approx) for the premises. Somehow Jasho manages to save Rs. 100 per month at the local post office.

Some recommendations:
i. Private coaching/tuitions required for subjects like English, Bengali, etc.). Rs. 500/month. Again, let's hope we can get some hours from our staff.

[A thought: a teaching experience for developers involved in development of education software... makes good sense!]

ii. Medical insurance (may be a Rs. 250 per month allowance?)
iii. An allowance for buying lunch (Rs. 500)
iv. Books and stationeries: Rs. 750

Again we are looking at Rs. 200o or Rs. 2500 (approx. US $ 60)...

[Another thought: Medical insurance should be extended to the whole family. The family supports education, we need them to be healthy!!!]

Maumita Halder, female, age: 3.6 years old
Pre-school/nursery
Address: Garia region

Maumita is Suchitra and Swapan Halder's daughter. Suchitra is too weak to work as regular domestic help these days. She tries to do some odd jobs now and then. Swapan is a "cycle-van" puller. These push pedal rickshaw-like "vans" are used to ferry heavy goods between small businesses. For sure, it is back-breaking work, and for it he earns next to nothing by any standards. The family's total income monthly is about Rs. 2800 (US $70 approx.).

Living conditions:
Obviously no family savings or insurance. They live in a tiny room about 75 to 90 sq. feet in dimensions. Terracotta tile roofing. Drinking water comes from a Kolkata Municipality Corporation tap at certain fixed times in a day. Cleaning and washing water from a open well. They spend Rs. 660 (Rs. 530 + Rs. 130) for renting the room and electricity.

Recommendations:
i. Mau's school fees and books costs Rs. 750 per month
ii. Food allowance: Rs. 1000/month (mother and child needs better nutrition!)
iii. Medical: Rs. 300/month and also medical insurance

An estimated total of Rs. 2250 + medical insurance can go a long way...

Benu's daughters, Shikha and Rekha are also beneficiaries connected to this programme and we have already been supplementing his income with an allowance to look after his children's education and welfare. Benu is our chef and office caretaker.

Today we will start disbursement of EduAid financial assistance.

- Shubho