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In June 1993 Shishu Mandir opened a school of its own, initially as an experiment for the children of the Home, but already one year later it was extended to poor children of the surrounding slum areas. The experiment had proved to be successful. In December 2000 the next hurdle was taken successfully, as a new building for maximum 180 children could be inaugurated. Meanwhile it has grown to an institution with two preparatory classes und 10 elementary and secondary classes. There are only 10 children per class. A second school building was added on January 1st 2008 so that the total strength of the school can increase to 250 children. The medium of instruction is English, ohter languages are Kannada (local language) and Hindi (regional language). At the end of the 10th class the children have to pass the SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate), which they take as externals in government recognised schools. This certificate qualifies them to take up any further studies, be it academic or vocational.
Concept
Children who experience aggression, refusal and neglect because of extreme poverty of their families are the beneficiaries of our school, where they receive an all-round promotion. We give special weightage to girls. As the children are traumatised and highly unsecured due to the daily conflicts and assaults, their concentration power is highly reduced. Therefore the concept of small groups of maximum 10 children was developed, and the method of teaching should be in a playful way with age relevant games and a lot of visual aids. By way of appreciation and positive enforcement, the children develop a feeling of self-confidence, which they had never experienced 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 like dancing, music, sports etc., he/she will get a special promotion in this field, again 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 for 10 years. In the last two years the orientation goes towards the demands of the government examination. Those who pass the SSLC, have all routes open towards higher studies by attending a Junior College wiht the aim of a PUC (Pre-University Course) qualification which is the basis for an academic career.
Children who are academically weak habe the advantage of the practical courses which are offered. They may terminate their studies after the 7th standard an head for a vocational training.
The main aim of the school is to develop the children's capacity towards a sound judgement, self-esteem and a sense of responsibility to make them self-reliant an independent. It is amply expressed in the logo of Shishu Mandir which says
Shishu Mandir - where liberation is awakening.
Selection of Children
The first and foremost criterion for being admissible to the Shihsu Mandir School is poverty. Social workers visit the houses of the families, who applied, to verify their social standard. There is an overwhelming demand: For 20 seats there are about 300 applications. Besides poverty other factors are taken into consideration like orphan/half orphan, mother widowed or sole source of maintenance, the same for the father, the number of children, any disease/disability/addiction of the parents etc. The parents also are tested for their reliability and readiness to cooperate. After this selection by the Social Workers a team of teachers tests the maturity of the children over several days by which procedure the admissibility is finally decided. It is a life determining factor for the children selected. Religion or caste aspects do not come into any consideration.
How the School is financed
The School is fully free of fees for all children selected. All School materials are supplied by the School besides three sets of clothes, shoes, and a school bag. Throughout the year the children are provided with two meals per day. Also bathing facilities are available.
The funds for these facilities are generated exclusively from sponsorships/donations from private donors. The families of the children are, however, obliged to pay a monthly amount of their own choice into a savings account in the name of the child. This money is a saving for the child's needs in later life.
The financial support of Shishu Mandir covers
- Salaries of the teachers and other staff members
- School materials for the children, like notebooks, text books, dictionaries, atlases, etc.
- School equipment
- Material costs for vocational courses
- Educational sponsorships for children in higher education
- Food for the children: breakfast, warm midday meal, afternoon snacks
- Health care: Vaccinations, basic medicines like vitamins, iron, de-worming medicines, first aid medical care for accidents, hospital treatment
warm midday meal
afternoon snacks
- Maintenance and running capital for the School busses
- Christmas presents for children and staff
- Food for parents, children and other guests on special occasions
- Support for "old students" when they lose their employment (till maximum 3 months)
Conclusion
Children from the poorest strata of society in the mega city of Bangalore who were born in abject poverty 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 2010 |
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