Educate One Girl for One Month in Rural India

The Kaliyachak Shiksha Setu Academic Year

The academic year began in April at the Learning Centre with a pause for a fortnight in May to give the girls a brief summer vacation. Exams (both at the centre and in their schools)  tend to be an exercise in rote learning rather than comprehension so this year we  plan to encourage the reading and narration from story books to improve fluency and comprehension. We will also conduct regular tests to encourage the students to answer questions in their own words allowing us to better assess their comprehension levels. The first round of tests covering the syllabus taught in the first 3 months was completed in August. 

The attendance was low for a few weeks in July as the girls had to help their parent to transplant paddy in the fields. 

10 Year Old Girls Who've Never Been to School

The teachers have been visiting the villages often during the past year as they were part of FORRAD’s nutrition program. During these visits they met many girls particularly in the village of Saristabad, who are above 10 years of age and have never been to school. Three girls approached the Learning centre and asked to be enrolled. The teachers have been offering them extra classes since July so they feel less awkward in class one with the 6 year olds. We are thinking of starting a centre in Saristabad for girls such as these. We also plan to welcome their parents if they show interest. 

Independence Day Celebration

Independence Day was celebrated on 15^th August with plays and music and flag hoisting and of course the inevitable samosas and jalebis!  The best part was that the crowd stood still to hear Niju sing in her evocative voice,  a song about girls' education – persuading parents to send their girls to school. 

Thank you for your support for the Kaliyachak Girls' Learning Centre!

Links:

• FORRAD
• Niju Singing at Independence Day Celebration