Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School – Chennai-90 Proposal for continued support for the school From Asha St. Louis May 2014

Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School (OMHSS) Established 1894 Location: Theosophical Society Campus, Besant Nagar, Chennai Free school for socially and economically less privileged children School seeks to remedy built-in disabilities of environment and nutrition Co-education Classes I through XII Tamil medium Boys:Girls = 267:192 Student strength = 459

OMHS Context Children from nearby slums: fisherfolk, coolies, housemaids etc Homes of children Below poverty line Rampant domestic violence, alcoholism, women & child abuse OMHS seeks to provide a vibrant, happy environment for holistic learning, fun and games

Curriculum Affiliated to the Tamil Nadu State Board –Tamil - first language –English -second language –Maths, Science, Social Sciences subjects Students appear for SSLC (Class X) certificate examinations after 10 years of schooling and will appear for HSC (Class XII) certificate in March 2015 Students of Class VIII – XII learn vocational skills –Tailoring, Embroidery, Drawing and painting, Food preservation and baking, Book binding, Screen Printing, Fabric design, Jewellery making

Initiatives Nutrition program –Mid-day meal enriched with sambhar, rice, vegetables & banana –Breakfast at 9:30 am of Kanji (ragi, cereals, pulses) Classroom provisions –All students provided with good quality notebooks –TN Govt covers 100% of textbook needs Uniforms : 2 good quality uniforms/year/student

Initiatives Technology Aided Learning (TAL) –Projection equipment and digital lessons to enrich learning of maths, science, social studies Special Program for English and Language Learning (SPELL) –To help students with comprehension, oral and written expression in English Primary Resource Centre –To improve social and thinking skills through educational games and associated activities

Initiatives- Contd Library – Collection of over 5000 books Science lab - Refurbished recently Games and Sports – Large playground

Teachers: The School’s Lifeline Committed teachers are responsible for the unique set of initiatives in the school like IAYP adventure trips exposure

School Std 10 – SSLC Results SSLC March 2014 Results expected on 23 May 2014 From 54% passes in March 2004 to 98 in March 2013 – 51/52 students passed in the March 2013 SSLC Board Exams. Just one child could not clear Soc Studies even though his average in the other subjects was 45%

Funding Requested For the following… Educational support ExpensesAmountsin INR Classroom Expenses50,000 Computer Room/ Maintenance60,000 Craft section50,000 Exams and tests ( stationery material)95,000 Medical health50,000 Educational trips50,000 General Resource Room, Counseling & Sp Ed.25,000 Printing & stationery20,000 Notebooks & Texts150,000 Sports day Prizes, Academic prizes 25,000 Festivals and celebrations 25,000 Total 1 600,000

Funding Requested and For the following: Other Allied SupportAmountsin INR Maintenance & upkeep of general facilities50,000 Recurring expenses on electricity & water50,000 Additional nutrition and food expenses with increased secondary strength 150,000 Total 2 250,000 Grand Total - 6 lakhs+ 2.5 lakhs =8.5lakhs

Proposal Summary Asha St. Louis support INR 333, (525, ,000)= INR 845,000 Requesting support for educational support expenses, repairs & maintenance & additional nutritional expenses INR850,000

Year Highlights Educational authorities approval granted for plus 2 classes in school. School upgraded to Higher Secondary status Improved participation in science fairs and projects- recognition to students and staff at state level Improved focus on sports & co- curricular activities- winning laurels at zonal and national levels Second computer facility room set up for HSC classes and vocational training

School Plan for later years Intensified focus on exposure to computers, internet, & improvement of English language. Improve employability at 18 years of age through vocational training during & after Plus 2. Setting up a collaborative unit with guaranteed job placements with a successful NGO being explored. Plan to start the above mentioned training by July 2014 Plan to focus on starting bilingual approach in primary for building basic language skills