Kasturba “School in a Box” Project Champion: G. Jadwani Project Liasons: N. Chawla A. Chawla S. Sridharan ASHA-AZ Project Meeting March 12, 2005

Background Kasturba Vanvasi Ashram in Niwali was established in Ashram was created by Kantaben Tyagi for education of tribal children and women. Kasturba Vanvasi Ashram in Niwali was established in Ashram was created by Kantaben Tyagi for education of tribal children and women. Poor children in low-income tribal areas are lacking a good education. Poor children in low-income tribal areas are lacking a good education. Goal: Bring educational standard for tribal children education on par with other schools of Madhya Pradesh. Goal: Bring educational standard for tribal children education on par with other schools of Madhya Pradesh. 750 girls in 6-15 year old age group will be targeted. 750 girls in 6-15 year old age group will be targeted.

Project Objectives Project seeks to introduce “school in a box” kits prepared by Krishnamurthi Foundation of India (KFI). Project seeks to introduce “school in a box” kits prepared by Krishnamurthi Foundation of India (KFI). Kits contain several educational items for groups of children, grades 1-5. Kits contain several educational items for groups of children, grades 1-5. Kits are being used in KFI schools in Rishi valley and Varanasi with great success. Kits are being used in KFI schools in Rishi valley and Varanasi with great success. The goal of this project is to introduce these kits at the Kasturba Vanvasi Ashram in Niwali and other tribal areas in Madhya Pradesh. The goal of this project is to introduce these kits at the Kasturba Vanvasi Ashram in Niwali and other tribal areas in Madhya Pradesh. Introduction of KFI kits will contribute to enhancement of standard of education, hopefully on par with other schools in the state Introduction of KFI kits will contribute to enhancement of standard of education, hopefully on par with other schools in the state

School in the Box Concept Kits used are 3D learning aids Kits used are 3D learning aids Large collection of illustrated learning cards Large collection of illustrated learning cards Teachers’ Manual Teachers’ Manual Materials are used to introduce concepts in a lucid, comprehensive, and graded manner - Ladder of Learning Materials are used to introduce concepts in a lucid, comprehensive, and graded manner - Ladder of Learning Several place-holders are in place for activities to be filled in by teachers Several place-holders are in place for activities to be filled in by teachers

School in a Box – how does it work? Sequence to achieving milestones Sequence to achieving milestones Introductory Introductory Reinforcement Reinforcement Evaluation Evaluation Remedial Remedial Enrichment activities Enrichment activities Milestones in Class 1 Math Learning Activities (one unit) Milestones in Class 1 Math Learning Activities (one unit) Student learns numbers from 1 to 5 Student learns numbers from 1 to 5 Student learns simple operations with those numbers. Student learns simple operations with those numbers. Milestones ascend from the first lesson in Math 1 to the final lesson. Milestones ascend from the first lesson in Math 1 to the final lesson. Student begins a new Ladder for Math 2. Student begins a new Ladder for Math 2. Each card has a symbol for the type of learning activity. Each card has a symbol for the type of learning activity. Rabbit - story cards that strengthen association of sounds with letters. Rabbit - story cards that strengthen association of sounds with letters. Elephant - reinforce reading and writing skills. Elephant - reinforce reading and writing skills. Dog - provide evaluation materials. Dog - provide evaluation materials. Each card also carries a number to represent the level of its learning material. Each card also carries a number to represent the level of its learning material. Yellow card marked Elephant 3 represents third step of writing for Class 4 Yellow card marked Elephant 3 represents third step of writing for Class 4

Mechanism for Achieving Project Goals ASHA Funds Teachers sent to KFI Varanasi/Rishi valley for training Teachers return to schools and use kits in class Purchase kits

Background on Project Champion Mr. G. Jadwani is a retired engineer, actively involved with the Krishnamurthi Foundation. He has worked on other projects for providing education to underprivileged children. Mr. Jadwani lives in Indore. Mr. G. Jadwani is a retired engineer, actively involved with the Krishnamurthi Foundation. He has worked on other projects for providing education to underprivileged children. Mr. Jadwani lives in Indore.

Site Visit – December 2004

Proposed Budget Travel to Varanasi / Rishi Valley Rs Stay and training in KFI SchoolRs Cost of each kitRs TotalRs One-time funding request 50 teachers x Rs = Rs. 225,000 (~$ 5,100) (1 teacher/ 15 students, 5 teachers trained per month) 5 teachers/month x 15 students = 75 students/month or 750 students/year