Basic Education

The literacy rate in the area is extremely low, only 24.5 per cent as compared to the state rate (57.05 per cent) and national rate (65.38 per cent). The main reason behind this is that the people are so poor that for them earning a meal is a priority over any other thing. And this outlook continues despite the fact that government primary schools exist in almost all the villages and hamlets. That is another matter that they suffer from lack of infrastructure and teachers.

Since Sarvodaya Sewa Ashram considers an educated society is a prerequisite for advancement of the community, it is intervening in basic education to make proper improvements. One of the inteventions is to impart training to the teachers to improve their teaching skills. While this skill development is underway, community is being made aware regarding education of the children. Wall writings, community meetings, video shows and cultural activities are organised to create awarenes among community members. Apart from these, interaction of teachers and parents is promoted for the betterment of the education.

In most problematic areas, SSA has established 21 primary schools. These have 3,936 children on their rolls (1,664 girls and 2,272 boys) in the age group 6 to 14 years. These schools have 18 female teachers and 169 male teachers.

SSA schools target for holistic development of children. Towards this end, the folloiwng are done:

• Training of children in staging street plays
• Assisting children to form bal panchayats through election
• Education on envirionment
• Sensitisation on the importance of health and hygiene
• Developing kitchen garden for vegetable cultivation
• Yoga and meditation for peace building and concentration

No matter where a chlid studies, SSA lays considerable emphasis to ensure that no child leaves school midway. To prevent instances of dropout, camps villages, meetings and workshops for parents are organised.