After school support

The objective of after school support is to develop age appropriate capacities of children and hence under this many academic and non-academic activities are carried out. After conducting baseline survey under guidance of Tech Mahindra Foundation and in collaboration with partner NGO in grade 1 st to grade 5 th , 150 students were identified who needed special attention, academic guidance and remedial support. School coordinators conducted support classes regularly before school starts. Those students who do not attend class regularly, URMEE coordinators do follow up home visits and encourage their parents to send them regularly for study support class. Staff also discussed with parents about the strengths and weaknesses of individual child and how can parents contribute by positive and effective role performance. Home visits also help the URMEE staff to know the socio- economic condition of the family and timely intervention is possible if there are any underlined factors which might contribute in the under performance of the student and ultimately student getting dropped out of mainstream education. Those are regularly attending the class their competencies are improving. This programs is having the maximum success. Response for support class was good as most of the students who need special guidance in specific subject are coming regularly for support class before school hours. These students are getting special guidance from coordinators for Marathi and Math’s subject.

 Teachers training and innovation in teaching learning

URMEE believes that teachers training not only improves knowledge, attitude and skills of teachers but it also increases effectiveness of teachers and it directly impacts the students.Rural school students have fear for English language and hence there was a demand from teachers to conduct sessions to enhance the proficiency in English. The resource persons conducted sessions with teachers teaching for class 5 th to 7 th on how to increase students’interest in learning English vocabulary (word of the day), storytelling. In addition, they demonstrated how to conduct classroom activities with students in English etc. With the support of knowledge partner Grammangal conducted two teachers’ trainings at project schools ZPUPS Mulkhed, Bhoirwadi, Kasarsai, Nere and Jambe. The difficulties faced by teachers while teaching Marathi language and Math for 1st to 4th std was shared with the facilitators. in which the entire focus was on teachers facing while teaching the students for 1st to 4th std. Another interesting concept was using group work methodology and importance of classroom management skills. The outcome here is the Sitting arrangement in most of the classrooms had changed for better. Teachers are more keen in thinking about teaching and learning processes. Trainings for URMEE facilitator on project based learning was very helpful for giving inputs to teachers for classroom intervention. The additional commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune visited ZPUPS Mulkhed and appreciated teachers and students for their performance in project base learning methods. Teachers had formed age appropriate competency wise groups of students and are seeking support of school coordinators in planning classroom activities. This initiative has builds good rapport. Also teachers taking practice of students on the basis of guidelines in Vachu ya lihu ya book.

 Education Exhibition

Any educational exhibition is a test of the teachers as well as the students and their combined learning process. To increase awareness about use of innovative teaching learning material one exhibition was organised in Mushi Block at Panchayat Samiti, Paud. In this exhibition the 14 ARISE Project school teachers and NGO partners exhibited students’ and teachers’ work. The exhibition focused on the identification, display, and use of age appropriate teaching learning material for creating interest in students. Teachers explained the charts and learning aids and narrated the positive impact made in their teaching process. Additional Beat Educational Officers and Cluster Heads and teachers from Mulshi Block visited exhibition and appreciated use of Teaching Learning Material in the education process of teaching and learning.

Resource Centres

URMEE developed resource centre in 4 schools with reference books and resourceful material for teachers as well for students. Various displays of Maths, language and Science teaching material has been done in these centres. URMEE provided syllabus based teaching learning material at each project school. It has become easy and comfortable for teachers to get relevant learning material at one place. It was found that the teachers are using resource material while teaching students.

Life Skills Education

URMEE organised TOT workshops for the team for effective life skills education to be imparted in the schools under the project. Team of teachers facilitated the life skills sessions for 405 students from 5 schools from grade 5 th to 7th. Average 15 to 18 activities based sessions were conducted in this academic year, which covered 10-life skills topics as prescribed by WHO and a few additional ones. Some of the topics covered are as follows – Self-Awareness & Self Understanding Inter/Intra Personal Communication, EffectiveCommunication-Written and Vocal, Critical Thinking, Leadership development, Creative Thinking, Entrepreneur development, Problem solving, rational process, Decision making, Coping Mechanism, Managing emotions, Empathy and Support strengthening. The change in students not only observed by teachers but the families too. It is observed that students more aware about their individual qualities, their acceptance of others increased, they are having improved interpersonal relationship in class and school campus. The behavioural problems and inter personal conflicts are reduced drastically. Their mutual trust, cooperation and acceptance has increased and which is resulting into more confident adolescents. School coordinators also reported that health seeking practices are increased and their participation in non academic activities also increased without impacting on their academic output. Their relationships with teachers are more open and cordial. This all was possible to ascertain through feedback sessions conducted by resource persons and analysis. Through this activity, it not only helped the target group students but also the team was equipped with new knowledge and skills. The life skills sessions also helped to build a better relationship with students and ultimately these sessions increased the level of self-confidence in the students.

Sports and games

Sports and games are involved with various physical and tactical challenges and it is very interesting field especially for the youths as they enjoy their hobby and a bright career too. URMEE introduced Rope Mallakhamb and Mallakhamb for Boys and around 60 girls & boys were trained and these students are participating various sports competitions. Some students were also helped to hone their skills in individual sports like long jump, running, high jump, shot put. Not only coaching the popular games but Group games like Kho-Kho, Kabaddi and Langadi was also practiced by students. Chess and Fundamental of Gymnastics sessions were also facilitated. In some of the schools karate class was also organised. Apart from coaching and practicing, the special emphasis was given to celebrating different days, which are significant in this area like National Sports Day Celebration, Yoga Day in which approximately 700 students participated in the rally and 40 teachers and 50 parents and key persons from the community participated. The performance of students was appreciated by Australian guests and as well as ZP Schools. For Sakal School Olympics this total 5 students registered for chess Competition. Students represented Taluka in District level sports competition. The sessions developed defence skills and confidence and sporting attitude among students impacting their physical and mental health.

Art, Craft and Culture

URMEE believes art and craft is vital to our culture, our society and our economy. If the students are exposed to, the art, they can explore with their imagination, whereas crafts involve structured activities with a specific goal in mind. Hence it was decided to give this opportunity rural children. URMEE motivated students to participate in Elementary and Intermediate grade drawing exam. Initially a baseline of 5th & 7th std students was conducted and those students are good in drawing and shown interest to participate in exam under the guidance of drawing teachers were given special inputs by URMEE’s resource person once a week. With URMEE’s support and practice sessions 85% project school students are successful in Elementary and intermediate grad exam. Lantern making workshop conducted by URMEE and students used the same lanterns at home and also took oath to celebrate eco friendly Diwali. Some performing arts also help people to unwind and hence bhajan classes helped students to enhance their interest in music and instruments. These sessions helped teachers as well as students as stress buster. Participated in 3 days summer camp at Tech Mahindra campus. Children got an exposure to dance, how to make origami paper work, they enjoyed watching animated videos, and participated in fun activities.

Guidance and Counselling Support

When children have emotional or behavioural problems, if it is treated early it benefits them.  URMEE conducted various need base sessions on safe and unsafe touch, overcoming insecurity feelings, healthy interactions with opposite sex, academic issues, and adolescent education. Parents were helped to handle children’s behaviour and academic problems. Importance of self-hygiene and physical, mental, emotional & social changes were explained through activities and flip charts. Effects of social media, de-addiction, time management were some of the other topics. These session helped students to avoid miss use of mobile, games like Pub G and blue whale, face book etc.

Days Celebrations

The occasion of special days URMEE organized awareness program, rally, informative sessions, and skill-based activities. Different important days like Environment Day, Yoga Day, National Sports Day, Raksha Bandhan, Children’s Day and Water Day were celebrated in the project schools through URMEE. During such events SMC member, key person and teachers participated actively.

Employee Volunteering – bringing business & communities together

Employee volunteering gives an opportunity to bring the business & communities together. URMEE and Tech Mahindra employee volunteers jointly facilitated few activities. Tree plantation was one such drive conducted with Tech Mahindra Company, Tech Mahindra Foundation and Sahyadri Vruksha Sanvardhan Sanstha. Around 50 volunteers contributed in tree plantation. Umbrella and notebook distribution drive responded to the need of the community just in time. Students really enjoyed these sessions.

Visits to project: Foreign Delegates’ visit and third party evaluation

Tech-Mahindra delegates from Australia visited India, Students performed a song to welcome them. Students interacted with the guest in English confidently. Total 4 teachers and 74 students participated in this activity. It was fruitful to all teachers and students. Team from Delhi has conducted evaluation at all schools. In this process they have evaluated ARISE project and interact with beneficiaries.