Since June 1993, Shishu Mandir has an own school, and since December 2000 it has an own building for presently 136 children in 12 classes. We have 2 preparatory classes and 10 elementary and secondary classes with 10 children per class. A second school building is getting inaugurated on January 1st 2008 so that the total strength of the school will increase to 250 children. Medium of instruction is English, other languages are Kannada (local language) and Hindi (regional language). The school ending examination is the SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate), which the children take as externals in government recognised schools.

Concept

Children who experience aggression, refusal and neglect because of extreme poverty of the family are the beneficiaries of our school, where they receive an all round promotion with a particular preference for girls. As these children are traumatised and highly unsecured due to the daily conflicts and assaults, their concentration power is very limited. Therefore, we teach in small groups of maximum 10 children and offer classes in a playful way with a lot of visual aids. By way of appreciation and positive enforcement of any success, the children experience a feeling of self-confidence, which they never had before. Children, who show behavioural disturbances in spite of this all round care, are counselled by a team of professionals. If a child shows a particular talent as for instance dancing, rhythmic feeling, sport capacity etc., he/she will get a special promotion in this field in order to increase his/her self-esteem through this talent. The school also offers workshops like tailoring, carpentry, computer courses, swimming, cycling, basket ball, table tennis, volley ball, which the children have to take obligatorily for some time and later on according to their inclinations. The school has its own curriculum, which in the later years orients itself towards the demands of the government examinations of the 10th standards. Children who are weak in studies take advantage of the practical courses which are offered, and usually terminate their studies after the 7th standard. A child, who passes the 10th standard exam, the SSLC, can turn to a professional course or also to higher studies by attending the Junior College with the aim of PUC (Pre-University Certificate). The PUC certificate qualifies the child for an academic course.
The main aim of the school is to develop a self-esteem and sense of responsibility in the children in order to advance into future with a feeling of social liberation and independence. Respect for others, honesty and equality of boys and girls are other main features of our intended aims.

Selection of the Children

The children are exclusively selected from poverty stricken areas around our school. The first selection is done by our social worker on the basis of social criteria. There is a huge demand: For 10 seats there are about 300 applications. Besides the criterion of poverty other features like orphan/half orphan, mother widowed or sole source of maintenance, the same for the father, number of children, any diseases of the parents etc. carry much weight for the selection. But even the parents have to undergo a selection in respect of their reliability and readiness for cooperation: They have to show a number of documents of the child at a particular time. After this preliminary selection a team of teachers tests the maturity of the children, which decides about their final admissibility (which decision is especially hard for all concerned) and which may be a life determining factor for the children. Religious or caste aspects do not come into any consideration.

Financing of the school

Teaching and all school materials are supplied free of costs, besides the clothes, shoes, school bags, two meals a day and a daily shower. All these materials are covered by sponsorships/donations from Germany, Switzerland and also India to some degree. The families of the children do not have to bear any expenses for the children.

The financial supports cover

1. Salaries for the teachers and other staff
2. Maintenance and running capital for the school bus
3. School materials for the children
4. School equipment
5. Material costs for vocational courses
6. Educational sponsorships for children in higher education
7. Food for the children: breakfast (protein mesh)
   warm midday meal
   afternoon snacks
8. Health care: Vaccinations, basic medicines like vitamins, iron, medicines for de-worming, first aid medical care for accidents on regular basis, hospitalisation costs whenever they occur
9. Food for parents, children and other guests on special occasions
10. Christmas presents for children and staff
11. Support for “old students” when they lose their employment (till maximum 3 months)

Conclusion

Children from the poorest strata of the society of the mega city of Bangalore who were not born with a golden spoon in their mouths and who had least prospects for a dignified future, experience a dramatic change of their fate by this education. They can build up their own lives in the first place and possibly render the same spirit of support and liberation to others.

October 2007