Navsarjan Trust Schools Gujarat Maulik Nagri May 2011

Agenda Background Our Involvement Interim Results in Revised Proposal Next Actions Observations during site visit Pictures

Background Navsarjan founded in 1989 Goal: provide quality education to Dalit children facing harsh discrimination in government schools 3 schools in outskirts of Ahmedabad, Gujarat – Plan to start 4th school in Surendranagar district in near future Education imparted from 5 th through 8 th grade Total of 450 students and 21 teachers in – Up from 354 students (or 28%) in – Girl students up from 89 girls in to 125 girls in Total cost per child ~ Rs per month – Includes lodging and boarding

Our Involvement Site visits in April 2007, January 2009 and May 2010 Asha set up a 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 $ Disbursement of: – $4,370 in July 2007 – $7,300 in June 2008 – $6,865 in May 2009 – $6,957 in Jan 2010 – $5,000 in Aug 2010

Interim Results in Total of 450 students (198, 93, 159 split in three schools in different villages) studying in grades 5, 6, 7 and boys, 125 girls (up 40%) in – up from 89 in Long-term target to enroll 40% girls in student population

Next Actions Revisited Understand Navsarjan’s funding sources for the higher student count – Navsarjan has exhausted grant money has shown below – Navsarjan has reduced cost of educating a student 26%

Revised Proposal Requesting second installment of ~ Rs. 420,000 (~$9,000) - Approved – Revised annual funding requirement = Rs. 650,000 (135 students x Rs. 5,000 cost per academic year) – First installment of ~ Rs. 2,30,000 (~$5,000) disbursed in August 2010 Lower first installment in 2010, because of lack of funding visibility back then

Observations during May 2010 Site Visit Visited school at Rayka and interviewed teachers, students and parents Navsarjan residential schools do “more with less” – Rooms multi-functional: class-room during day is lodge at night – Human waste is re-used as fertilizer for gardens – Consistently raised student count in the past 3 academic years Schools are well-managed – Organization management and school staff very motivated – Rayka school generally clean and well-organized – Students have a daily schedule and are taught various life skills – Cook and Caretaker live on premises Student interviews reveal confidence and enthusiasm in them Parents interview reveal enthusiasm to send children to school For , Navsarjan plans to enroll girl students first Future plans include: – Student amenities: chairs, computers, etc. – Health insurance for students – Add higher standards to existing schools – Open 4 th school

Teaching Staff Clay crocodile made by children School BoardNight Lamp made in craft class

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