Pilot Phase

The Support My School Campaign kicked off with a pilot phase whereby two schools one in Sonepat and one in Rajasthan have implemented the project. 1st School under the Pilot Phase – Sonepat, Haryana.

Profile of Sonepat School before the campaign intervention

The secondary school in village Jhundpur is situated in a remote area of Sonepat District of Haryana. Most of the villagers are farmers and daily labourers. Most of the students in this sschool belong to these families. There are certain problems in the schools pertaining to water, sanitation, and sports facilities. Providing facilities like adequate and clean toilets, drinking water, and play ground can bring significant changes in the life of children and motivate them to stay back and thus reduce drop-outs. This will also add to the overall quality of education in the school and its environment.

CAf partnered with Navjyoti Development Society (NDS) to implement the project in this school. NDS as been working in the area for last one and half year and focusing on health issues like women and child health, OPD facility, awareness and building linkages with other agencies. School adolescent education program is one of the important components of the project which focuses on health and hygiene issue, life skill development and reproductive system.

Through Support My School Campaign the focus was to be on infrastructure particularly water harvesting, sports, sanitation and plantation in the school.

The project benefits initially to 400 children with an increase in enrollment every consecutive year. The focus is on children studying in the school. 400 children will be direct beneficiaries. Apart from this the school community-teachers, support staff will also benefit from this.

 Profile of the School Post Intervention

1. One rainwater harvesting system for ground water recharge has been constructed.
2. Four urinals and 3 toilets for girls, modification f existing toilets to be used by boys have been constructed.
3. Approximately 40 plants with tree guards have been planted and set up.
   
   
4. Landscaping with 3-4 swings, one basketball court & sports equipments have been constructed. There was a dedication ceremony on the 24^th of Jan that was held in the school which marked the

    

   Sustainability of the Project
   
   

   • The local village community, Panchayat and the school have been fully involved in the process of installation of the facilities. The ownership of the installed facilities by the school and the village will ensure sustainability.
     
     
   • Regular meeting with parents and other stakeholders will motivate them to take ownership.
   • NDS along with the school will make sure to maintain and manage the facilities installed. 
   • The school will try to leverage government funds/contributions from the villagers for the maintenance of the facilities.
     
     

      2^nd School under the Pilot Phase of the campaign – Bibipur Rajasthan

Profile of the school before the Intervention 

 The proposed villages are characterized by extremely low literacy levels with average family size of 7-8 members and around 400-450 households.  Education is not a priority concern and schools suffer from low attendance and enrolment rates of children of school going age. Social and religious barriers constrain the members of the community, particularly women from accessing facilities for education. Most of children from this community are first generation learners.  Student teacher ratio is high.  The infrastructural facilities within the schools have been far from satisfactory with no access to potable water, proper drainage systems for rain water outflow (as during the rainy seasons the schools remain submerged in water for number of months) compelling the schools to be run at makeshift places, more so the class rooms require renovations, poor sanitation facilities due to choked toilets with scarce water facilities, the school ground is nearly barren without trees and is not properly landscaped to conserve water at a designated location for reuse during water scarcity.

The direct beneficiaries will be approximately 118 children of Govt. Primary School, Bibipur. The indirect beneficiaries are other children and the families in the catchment area and then many local children who are not part of the school will also get benefit in future through SARD’s other activities.

 Post Intervention

·         118 children have gained access to potable drinking water facility in their school.

·         The Rainwater harvesting structure has been set up which not only meet the needs of water during acute summer but also demonstrate the new technique in the villages for storage of water and allow the schools to remain free from drainage problems during rainy season.

·         Toilet facility has been set up in the school with adequate water and enhancing the personal hygiene and sanitation levels of children

·         Five class rooms have been renovated with new window panes, doors, black boards etc and also with the concept of Building and Learning Aid (BaLa).

·         Tree plantation and landscaping have also helped to improve the environment of the school and children will learn about the safety of environment.

·         118 children will get better sports material and children will be able to participate in sports events at Block and District level. These sports equipment and material will also ensure joyful learning within the school and ensure retention of the children for continuing their education without drop outs.

Community Involvement

The families of children viz., the parents, school administration shall be motivated and involved in the infrastructural enhancement initiatives by strengthening existing Parent teacher committees and the School management committees.gement committees.  The community will be actively involved in protection of the assets created and also in excavation, construction and plantation works.

Sustainability Plan

In addition to the local community stakeholders, the members of the School management committee, the local educational authorities will also be involved to ensure future protection and maintenance of created assets by forming a users’ community in the form of a neighborhood committee and advocate with administration to allocate funds for future protection and maintenance.  This will ensure continued maintenance and protection of assets created.