Program Interventions

Background:

Shikshan-Mitra programme by MITTRA was launched in 2003 for tribal children in Ashram Schools, with an aim of making education more relevant to the tribal children. The programme provides spaces for learning to the students. ‘Learning by doing’, is the mantra for programme implementation. The educational project activities related to agriculture, health, are done by the students themselves.

Aims and Objective:

Shikshan-Mittra Programme was launched by MITTRA with the aim of making the education more relevant to the setting and the lives of the tribal children and developing ashram schools as Development Centers for the surrounding Tribal Areas.

Specific Objectives:

1.  To equip the tribal students with life skills and information
2.  To provide avenues for personality development
3.  To facilitate a complementary interaction between the ashram schools and the community / parents
4.  To facilitate better career choices by tribal boys & girls
5.  To develop a sense of ownership about the programme in the ‘school community’

Approach:

Shikshan Mitra programme is a student focused programme. It envisages that the residential tribal schools (ashram shalas) will act as development centers for the surrounding area.

Activities

The idea of such an education system is to provide exposure to the tribal students. Exposure visits are arranged to various institutions like bank and police station, to help them to gain knowledge and build a sense of confidence. Students Activity groups are formed to take the programme ahead and ensure that learning takes place effectively. Field activities, exposure visits, annual sharing workshops and participatory planning meetings with school staff form a major part of this programme.

Shikshan-Mitra Expansion Project in Nandurbar

This independent project has been launched in Nandurbar district from 1st June 2009. Project reach is 50 government and private aided Ashram Schools in Nandurbar. Along with regular activities in the Shikshan Mitra program, following new initiatives have been initiated

Work with Alumni and Dropouts
Work with alumni and dropouts are a forward link of Shikshan-Mitra program. Presently following activities are conducted under this intervention

• Developing a comprehensive database
• Organizing camps for dropouts on regular basis
• Career counseling for students in 10th and 12th standard
• Parent counseling for continuation and promotion of higher education, especially for the girls

1. Environment Education

Environment education has already been included in the school syllabus. School level program is supplemented by making it more contextual and oriented towards tribal life. Practical assignments and projects help students to understand subjects like biodiversity and interdependence among various ecosystems

2. Intensive training for field staff

Training, regional workshops and monthly meetings are conducted to enhance capacities of a team of eight members of MITTRA staff which has been constituted for the project. Topics covered include; understanding of project design with special focus on approach and objectives, scenario of education in Nandurbar district, status of higher education and career choices among tribal adolescents in Nandurbar, level of participation of children etc.

3. Record system

A systematic record system has been developed for this program. Along with earlier existing records some new records and documents have been evolved.