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Problem: The remoteness of some hamlets in rural India prevents millions of children from becoming educated. The problem is that either the government has been unable to setup schools in these communities or the teacher(s) find it too inconvenient to attend school in such localities on a regular basis.
Concept/Location: Spread International is now focusing on providing primary education (grades 1-5) in such communities in the tribal belt of Andhra Pradesh. Tribal communities are not only spatially isolated but also lack the social network to draw resources from mainstream society.
Methodology: Our intervention is flexible by design. For each village, we survey the underlying conditions including the number children by age and resources on the ground. If there is a school present, we provide supporting Activity Based Learning (ABL) and other teaching methods to provide a more enriching experience. We also “encourage” the participation of government teachers to ensure their regular attendance. In localities that do not have government schools, we set up educational centers with the help of the local community. Working on a supply chain premise, we work with the local government educational officer to garner additional resources and influence execution of projects.
Results: Our interactions with the local officials have already borne fruit. In one of our target villages, we are now scheduled to set up a government school. We will monitor its progress to ensure that our children do indeed get educated. Our frugality, transparency and efficiency allow us to educate a child for less than $ 100/yr.
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