Project Proposal – Kasturba Gandhi Balika

Vidyalaya (KGBV)

Implementer :Mahila Samakhya,

Uttar Pradesh

Initiative by MS- Mahila Samakhya http://education.nic.in/ms

• Mahila Samakhya program is an initiative by Department of Education of Govt of India. Launched in 1988 for education and empowerment of women in rural areas particularly of women from socially and economically marginalised groups.

• 10 Districts from 3 states namely UP,Gujarat and Karnataka were selected.

• MS societies were registered in those states by govt and these societies were made responsible for implementation of this program. In Gujarat and Karnataka societies were registered in april 1989 , in UP it was registered in 1990. (first 2 years in UP , the program was run thro aid to voluntary organisations)

• In April 1989 the govt of Netherlands agreed to fund the program.

• Mahila Samakhya started as a pilot project has grown into a programme of scale and is currently being implemented in 60 backward districts in the country covering over 9000 villages in 10 states.

• It is estimated that over two lakh women are actively mobilised and organised by the programme with a much larger number being impacted indirectly.

• The programme is being implemented in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal.

What is Mahila Samakhya (MS)?

MS program started in 1989 different states by the support of Dutch Government to empower women’s in rural India.

MS is registered as society (autonomous body) under direct control and funded by MHRD. As the MS works in states they also work closely with state government.

The idea behind MS was to create a organization which can work as bridge between NGO’s and government. The structure is created in such a manner that it has the freedom and spirit of NGO and stability and support like other government departments. (good comparison IIT, IIM, AIIMS etc)

In UP MS is active in 12 districts and this year expanded to 4 more districts.

As MS is autonomous body in every state MS have evolved differently and have decided different goals for themselves keeping the focus of women empowerment.

What does this program MS contain ?The MS has following componentsSanghasSahyoginiFederationsEducational InterventionsSupport and convergent servicesTrainingDocumentationMonitoring and evaluationProject Management

MS contain

• MS essentially works to bring women together to collectively solve their problems & empower them to address wide varieties of issues themselves. This is achieved via formation of Mahila Sangh (cohesive groups)

• Program involves enabling women especially from socially and economically disadvantaged and marginalized groups to address and deal with problems of Isolation , lack of self confidence, oppressive social customs, struggle for survival all of which inhibit their learning.

• MS has adopted innovative approach that emphasizes the process rather than mechanical fulfillment of targets.

• MS believes that in this process women is empowered.

• The focus of MS in UP is Education, Health, Rights and Governance and Economic empowerment.

What is Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidhalaya (KGBV) Scheme?

• KGBV is a scheme launched in 2004 by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) under Sarva Sikhsha Abhiyan (SSA) to educate girls drop out after class 5 in the backward districts of India

• MHRD sanctioned 1180 such schools to be implemented in India. (124 in UP)

• The schools are residential in nature & can accommodate 100 or 50 girls.

• The girls will learn compact bridge course (class VI, VII, VIII.) , which is designed

by resp.state govt so that girls can continue main stream again.

• Available(MS,SSA) will implement this scheme in state.

• The scheme has reservation of 75% from OBC, SC/ST and 25% for economically weaker section rural population (BPL).

• SSA has allocated money to MS and 10 schools are running in rented building in 10 districts of UP from 15th aug 2006.

MS - UP vision- for MS districts

Education, Health , Rights Initiatives and Governance Economic Employment …discusing only of education for this presentation

In 3 years Gender and class discrimination in schools will end

In 5 years Teachers would be more understanding and sensitive towards the needs of adolescent girls.Feeling of sexual insecurity among adolescent girls will end.All adolescent girls between the age of 14-18 years will go to School or various skill based learning canters.Increase in the level of functional and right based knowledge of all adolescent girls and women between 18-35 years of age.

In 7 years Higher Education, Entrepreneur Institutes / Employment, Technical and vocational training will be within the reach of adolescent girls and women of Mahila Samakhya (MSK, Sanghas, KGBV).

In 10 years Making educational environment conducive and favourable.

Literacy rate of women and adolescent girls would at least group to 80% in developmental blocks where Mahila Samakhya has intervened

States and sanctioned

Numbers of school and money released till march 2006.

(not very visible here but this was given to UDAY when he filed application under RTI to MHRD)

How can Asha for Education work with MS- UP?

• AfE can work with MS on any of its four focus areas.(education,health,rights and governance and employment empowerment)

• The relationship and the quality of work are not necessarily limited to funding some projects but evolving ideas and working with MS to implement them. If the ideas are successful then MS can present it to MHRD for replication across the country. Eg:What’s the best way to have kitchen in government school for mid-day meal scheme? Should every school have a kitchen or group of 10 schools or one kitchen in a block or a corporate supply the cooked packed food in schools?

• Work with MS in implementing current MS projects. Help them in identifying technologies, expert knowledge and train women’s to become entrepreneur. For example some of us can train women’s in jewelry/furniture design.

What Asha for Education gets in working with Mahila Samakhya?

1. We get chance to work with government and influence the policy at later stage

2. While working with government we can make sure money from different programs in spent in right way

3. We get access to most backward districts in UP and get chance to work with marginalized section of rural India (OBC, SC/ST and economically weaker section)

4. Working on KGBV we can spend our money on girl child in rural India where we have few projects and our access is limited.

5. We get chance to spend money on secondary education where expenditure from government is low. The ratio of number of secondary schools to primary schools is 1/3 in India and one of main reasons for drop out of children.

6. One/two chapter cant start a residential school and operational expenditure (sustainability) is always a concern for us here while working with MS we can add value to the schools with small money and make sure they are of same quality as any private run schools.

7. instead of later working with NGO to improve badly implemented schools if we can intervene and improve the quality at implementation stage we are directing our money and effort in most efficient way. Once model schools are created we can demonstrate and later lobby with MS and others to increase funding and other resources for government schools.

8. KGBV an ambitious project and puts challenges in front of us to work in time bound manner across chapters. Dedicated volunteers and collected motivation is required to make the project a success.

How Asha for Education chapters can participate in the KGBV project?

• Adopt one or more schools (out of 10) (in 2006-07) and make sure they are implemented in best way. Contribute in terms of ideas and money and other resources to make the schools a success.

• Work with schools and MS to integrate other initiatives of MS in schools such as RTI center, vocational training center, health center, library etc. over a period of time (1-3 years time)

• Lobby with MS on different women’s and girl child issue to get more resources in five year plans

Existing funding pattern as per guideline documentation (100 girls) NON RECURRING: in Lakhs

SN ITEM OF EXPENDITURE AMOUNT PER SCHOOL*

1 Building 20.00

2 Furniture/ Equipment including kitchen equipment 2.50

3 Teaching learning material and equipment including library books 3.00

4 Bedding 0.75

  TOTAL 26.25 

RECURRING COSTS PER ANNUM: in Lakhs

SN ITEM OF EXPENDITURE AMOUNT PER SCHOOL*

1 Maintenance per girl student per month @ Rs. 750 9.00

2 Stipend for girl student per month @ Rs. 50 0.60

3 Course books, stationery and other Educational material            @ Rs 50/ month

0.60

4 Examination fee 0.01

5 Salaries:                  1  Warden cum teacher             4  Full time teachers             3  Part time teachers2  Support staff –    (Accountant/Assistant, PeonChowkidar and Cook)

6.49     

6 Vocational training/specific skill training 0.40

7 Electricity/ water charges 0.50

8 Medical care/contingencies @ Rs 750/ child 0.75

9 Miscellaneous including maintenance 0.40

10 Preparatory camps 0.15

11 PTAs/ school functions 0.15

  TOTAL 19.05

Requirements per KGBV for Asha for Education to support

MHRD sanctioned only 20lakhs per school for construction of the school and PWD (Public works department) of state designed the schools for MS. The designs were seriously flawed and MS hired an architect to get the schools redesign based on feedback on requirements of girls, MS, teachers and curriculum experts.

The estimates for cost of school changed to 35lakhs from 20lakhs and that is where we have to step in to support the extra 15lakhs per school to make it decently livable for girls

small variation in cost of different schools as the location and area will change. (5-7% +-)

As mentioned earlier if a chapter is able to raise more money they are free to move ahead and can spend more money to implement other resources in schools.

Land for the construction of school will be given by the state government and already in 4 districts land has been allocated. For rest of six schools land will be allocated by the end of November 2006.

Time line involved in the project

18-19 September 06 Meeting with Architect

30th September 06 Proposal From Asha For Education

20th September to 15th October 06 Social Forestry time

Ist Week of October 06 Soil testing

October 5th Spacial requirements for KGBV

10th October 06 Terms of Reference from Architect

October 15th EC clearance for the proposal

November 15th Team building

17-18 November Visioning workshop and Sharing of the core design

November 20th 06 Design finalization and freezing

20th November to 10th Decmeber Layout, site preparation, market survey + foundation

February 1st 07 Completion of 25% work

March 1st 07 50% work

April 1st 07 75% work

3rd Week of May 07 Building envelope ready

4th Week of May 07 Feedback from completion certification team

June 20th 07 100 % completion of building

Before 25th June 07 Certification of completion

25th onward 07 Occupying the building

July 1st 07 Opening of new session

Asha for Education’s Initiative till now

Asha Munich (Mehar) and Asha Delhi (Uday) started working with MS in January 2006 when they had their first meeting with MS director Dr. Rashmi Sinha.

Initially we were evolving different ideas on which we can work with MS. During one of trip (Uday with Parivartan volunteers) to Saharanpur for RTI workshop for MS women Uday came to know of KGBV scheme and role of MS in the scheme

Asha Munich earlier worked on the similar project and we suggest MS that we can somehow contribute to the project and that is how the partnership started.

Chapters which are discussing this project- Info courtsey - asha munich email

1 CNJ (Central New Jersey) agreed to support one school this year and one for next year (if successfull this year). They also agreed to make presentation to Amerian IndianFoundation (AIF loks for big budget projects and KGBV 10schools fit the AIF quite well)

 2. Toledo chapter will discuss this friday to support one school. As of now looks like they will support one school

 3. Seattle chapter will discuss the project on 12th October (I they want they have the capacity to support 124 schools) (biggest chapter with 1 million $ in bank account)

 4. Silicon Vallay chapter started the discussion but dont have latest details. (Sv also can support all 10 schools if they want) (2nd biggest chapter)

 5. NYC/NJ (New York) chapter is also interested and will discuss the project in details in 2 weeks time. (3rd biggest chapter) 6. Asha Munich can support one.  7. and we can think of jointly supporting one with help from Frabkfurt and Zurich chapter if seattle and SV decide not to support the schools.

Kabir Vajpayi (Vinyas): Architect, from Delhi-         Subir Shukla (Independent Educational Consultant to the GoI): Pedagogical Consultant to KGBV, from Delhi

-         Rashmi Sinha (Mahila Samakhya): UP State Project Director, from Lucknow

-         Nisha Chaudhary (Mahila Samakhya): Saharanpur District Project Coordinator, from Saharanpur

-         Gaurav (VDesignPurple): Bamboo Architecture Specialist, from Chandigarh

-         Parun Pradhan (VDesignPurple): Bamboo Interiors Specialist, from Bangalore

-         Uday Gosain (Asha Delhi/Project Manager, Wireless Grp, HCL Tech, Noida): Asha Project contact for India, from Delhi

Towards Implementation : Following people met on 18th and 19th sept to discuss the path and deadline of implementation

My ideas of fund raising for this project

• Donation drive for KGBV for next half a year with strong publicity

• Dedicated fund raiser activity (say Disco night and Food festival)

• Cutting on other projects after analysing our commitments

• Contacting corporates (say UBS bank or ABB or big companies )

More Info available

• http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=743

• http://www.ashanet.org/munich/mahila-samakhya/

• http://education.nic.in/ms