Navsarjan Trust SchoolsGujarat

Maulik NagriOctober 2013

Agenda

Background Our Involvement Student Count 2013-2014 Proposal Observations during May 2013 site visit

Background

Navsarjan founded in 1989 Goal: provide quality education to Dalit children facing harsh

discrimination in government schools 3 active schools near Ahmedabad, Gujarat Estimated food cost per child INR ~900 per month in 2013-2014 Student count at Navsarjan has dropped to 116 in 2013-2014 due

to change in policy where Navsarjan has decided to start charging students for food

– Historically, Navsarjan increased student count from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012, but now student count has reduced through 2013-2014

Link: http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=840

Our Involvement

Recommend change in funding basis in 2013-2014: To funding teacher salaries

Prior funding basis: scholarship program to encourage enrollment of female students

– Parents willing to pay for boys’ education, but do not encourage their daughters for education

– Marriage for girls at an early age very common Site visits in April 2007, January 2009, May 2010, May

2012, and May 2013 Partner in “Quality of Education” and “NREGA”

Student Count in 2013-2014

Student count fell to 116 in 2013-2014 from 322 in 2012-2013 from 400 in 2011-2012

– Drop in students due to change in policy where students pay food costs

2013-2014 Proposal

Change basis to funding teachers’ payroll in 2013-2014 vs. giving scholarships for female and other under-privileged children in prior years

– Now, students pay ~80%-85% of direct food expenses. So, scholarships may not be very effective in increasing enrollment.

– We should continue to monitor student specially female students. Navsarjan requested: INR 1,475,000

– Covers 77% of payroll costs of teachers and staff Our proposal: Annual installment of INR 800,000 or ~$13,100

– Covers 42% of payroll costs of teachers and staff– Navsarjan has highlighted turnover in experienced teachers as a key challenge– Navsarjan cited ~50% lower payroll at its schools vs. government schools as a

major reason for teacher turnover– Historically, Navsarjan teachers are from local communities and know families

and motivate children to join Navsarjan schools.

FOR CURRENT DISCUSSION– 1st semi-annual installment of INR 400,000 or ~$6,550

Observations during May 2013 Site Visit

Visited school at Katariya and interviewed teachers, students and parents

Navsarjan residential schools do “more with less”– 5 multi-functional rooms; classroom during day; lodge at night;

mess hall at other times in the day– Human waste is re-used as fertilizer for gardens

Schools are well-managed– School management and school staff very motivated– Katariya school generally clean and well-organized– Students have a daily schedule and are taught essential life

skills– Cook and Caretaker live on premises

Student interviews reveal confidence and enthusiasm in them

Parent interviews reveal enthusiasm to send children to school

Conversation with Navsarjan’s Founder (1/2)

New philosophy that students pay for food expenses led to fall in 2013-2014 student count

– Consolidated teaching operations to a single location (Katariya) Plan to move teaching operations to students to other schools during 2013-2104

– Founder says that numbers show providing food at school to students is cheaper and more nutritious vs. providing food at home

– Founder shared that only 11 students came on the first day of school hoping Navsarjan will change its policy. When Navsarjan did not change its policy, many students returned increasing the count to 116

– Founder estimated that food costs INR ~900-950 per student per month, out of which students pay INR 750 per month

Older philosophy of subsidizing expenses (food, education, and boarding) was not sustainable in the long-term

– Navsarjan had to periodically to dip into its general fund to fund the operating expenses of its residential schools

– Residential schools depend on a few large donors; loss of one donor can imperil the operations of the residential schools

– Some key grants have fallen off (CORD) or will fall off (Tata Social Welfare Trust) Founder states that Navsarjan is committed to starting grades 9th and

10th in near future

Conversation with Navsarjan’s Founder (2/2)

Founder believes that student count will jump back in 2-3 years– Founder shared experience at DSK (Dalit Shakti Kendra) vocational school

suggests that raising fees coupled with better infrastructure brings more students in the long run

– Founder believes that the 2014-2015 student count will bounce back to ~300 Founder stressed the need for better infrastructure and teaching

methods– Better infrastructure: more accommodation such as building a second story on

modular rooms, creating sports complex in Katariya (track, kabaddi, volleyball) etc. using spare land at schools, already built science labs at schools

– Better teacher training– Monthly student evaluation in key areas: reading, comprehension, etc.

Founder stated difficulty in hiring and retaining teachers– Government schools pay teachers INR 18000 per month whereas Navsarjan

pays INR 8000 per month– Recently, some experienced and qualified teachers have left Navsarjan

schools.– Founder indicated strong need for raising teacher salaries

Chotte Bhim Drama Competition Update

Navsarjan changed the format in 2013-2104– First round organized at village or town level– Final round will be organized at one location rather

than in phases

Encouraged greater community participation– children of all castes participated– audience members included all castes– community chipped in money for the drama

competition at various locations

2012-2013 Status Updates

Completed 2nd floor in Sami School Big foreign grant rolling off in September 2012 Plans for 2013-2014:

– Hired on-site wardens for 2 schools– Add 9th standard to all the 3 schools– Build science labs in 3 schools– Short-term Vocational Courses: Bakery, Medical Assistant– Focus on teacher training

Long-Term Plans– Build second floor at 2 other schools– Add 10th standard to all 3 schools– Focus on redesigning curriculum– Construct a 4th school– Plan to add vocational classes at Navsarjan’s vocational schools

Potential collaboration with IIM-Ahmedabad Courses: Bee Keeping, Growing Mushrooms, Papier mache, Creating Wooden Toys, Wormi-

compost, Create furniture

Site Visit Pictures 2013-2014

Site Visit Pictures 2013-2014

Site Visit Pictures 2011-2012

Site Visit Pictures 2011-2012

THANK YOU