By Ashwini Batra | Program Manager
The Kaliyachak Learning Centre for Girls functions on the premises of Samaj Kalyan Mandal, in the village of Kaliyachak, District Nalanda, Bihar. Samaj Kalyan Mandal is a 40 year old community-based organization. The Learning Centre has classes from Standard 1 to 6 and operates six days a week, in the mornings in summer, and in the afternoon in winter. The 121 students come from Kaliyachak and the neighbouring hamlets of Saristanagar, Aganu bigha, Mal bigha, Linepar, Nauliya bigha, Bhadauan and Bhat bigha. Approximately 75% of the girls enrolled in the Centre regularly attend the government school later in the day. The rest return home to help with household chores and care for their siblings.
Improving Reading Skills
This year, teachers have focused on helping students improve reading and basic mathematics skills to achieve functional literacy and numeracy. The teachers are conducting regular tests to familiarize the students with answering questions in their own words in order to better assess their comprehension.
Celebrating Chhath
Chhath puja is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Bihar. It is a four day celebration of gratitude to the sun God and nature. The entire community gathers at the river bank to worship the sun and make offerings of fruit, flowers and sweets. In the Saturday sessions with their teachers, the children talked about how they celebrated with their families and their community in their respective villages. The girls were encouraged to illustrate their celebrations. Notably Chhath is one of the few occasions where boundaries of caste are set aside and the community celebrates as a whole.
Tailoring Classes
The tailoring class continues to run in two batches:
10 am to 12pm with 8 trainees
12pm to 2pm with 13 trainees
Each course lasts six months after which the trainees are able to sew garments of everyday use. They learn to sew for themselves and their families as well as earn pin money sewing for the neighbors.
A Sub-Centre in Saristabad
The teachers have been visiting the villages where their students live frequently during the past year as part of FORRAD’s child 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. We are planning to start a Centre in Saristabad for older girls such as these who’ve never been to school. The sub-centre is scheduled to open January 2026.
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