Asha for Education
Fellowship Application Form
SECTION I: Personal Contact Information
Name: A.Ravi
Address: The Valley School (KFI)
17th Km, Kanakapura Road
Thatguni Post
Bangalore 560 062.
5-357 B, Appa Rao Thota
Madanapalle
Chittoor District
Andhra Pradesh 517 325.
Phone:
Email: ravialuganti@yahoo.com
Nominator: Dr. S N Gananath
Have you applied for Asha Fellowship Before? No
SECTION II: Summary of Work
Name of Project (if any): Sustainable Education And Development Society (SEADS)
Location: Vayalapad & Nimmanapalle Mandals of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh
Which communities will you work/serve? All communities
Socio-economic background: Underprivileged rural children
Type of work (select three maximum)
Teaching methods
Educational system reform
Computer based education
SECTION III: Education
Degree Institution Location Year
MA Sociology Sri Venkateshwara University Tirupati 1994-96
BA Sociology, Indira Gandhi New Delhi 1990-93
English & National Open
Rural Development University
Schooling Neel Bagh School, an alternative Karnataka 1972-84
school for quality education
founded by the well known educationist
and author David Horsburgh
Master Trainer Intel & Microsoft Bangalore 2000
SECTION IV: Experience
1997-Present: Working as a teacher in Krishnamurti School. I teach mathematics and environmental studies. I am also involved in multi grade teaching, where I facilitate children learn academic subjects as well as art and craft. I am involved in training teachers to use computers for bringing technology into teaching. Since 1999 I am teaching at The Valley School, Bangalore. From 1997 to 1999 I taught at Rajghat Besant School, Varanasi. The Schools are part of the Krishnamurti Foundation India. The schools were founded by J.Krishnamurti the well known thinker and Teacher of the 20th century.
1994-97: Worked with Janamitra a Voluntary Support Organisation, aimed at strengthening the capacities of government and non-government organisations by providing Training, Research and Documentaion. My responsibilities were to organise and conduct trainings, take part in social surveys and research for Janamitra and other organisations. I was also involved in teaching and preparing learning material for a school run by Janamitra.
1991-93: Worked with Gram Vikas Samstha a grass-roots voluntary organisation working in Chittoor District, A.P. My responsibility at this organisation during the first year was to co-ordinate the education activities in twelve schools for rural children. Later when there was a change in the organisational set up towards an integrated approached, I took up the responsibility of co-ordinating the activities of Education, Community, Women and Water shed Development.
SECTION V: Organisational Affiliations & Memberships
Organisation Role Dates
SEADS Secretary 1993-
SECTION VI: References
Name Organisation Address/Phone/Email
Dr. S N Gananath Suvidya #206, 30th ‘A’Cross
9th Main, 5th Block
Jayanagar, Bangalore 41.
Ph: 080 6658580
Email: suvidya@mahiti.org
Prof. P Krishna Krishnamurti Foundation India Krishnamurti Foundation India
Rajghat Education Centre
Rajghat Fort,Varanasi-21001
Ph: 0542 331717, 331784
Email:kfirvns@nde.vsnl.net.in
Mr. N Horsburgh Educationist/Author 17, Mayfields
Sindlesham, Berks
RG 41 5BY
United Kingdom
Ph: 01734 776431
SECTION VII: Proposal
Please answer the following questions in the space provided
Name of the Project (if any): SEADS (Sustainable Education And Development Society)
Mission Statement (50 words or less):
"To provide educational experiences that are truly joyful and realise the potential of every child, even while equipping them with skills to face tomorrow".
Clearly describe the need for the project or your work:
Even though late it is the right time to think and act upon achieving universalisation of elementary education. But, are we really satisfied with enrollment and retention, the functional literacy, basic curricula or are we looking beyond ? If we are content with this, is not are vision for elementary education short sighted ? Hence, to tackle the problem from the roots, to concentrate on the means rather than the end we require the quality interventions in education. Government has provided reasonably sufficient infrastructure and human resource. Our role here is to see that the available resources are meaningfully utilised.
Clearly describe the proposed solution:
Make learning a joyful experience. This can be done when the learning process is interactive and lively. When children are encouraged to think, question, experiment and be creative. For this appropriate learning material has to be developed and used. Multi-grade teaching is to be introduced through on going training in schools. Create a resource centre which is always available to the teachers and other NGOs who are serious in bringing about a qualitative change in schools.
Clearly describe the expected impact of the project or your work:
Describe any innovative ideas & approaches:
Multi-level teaching is a very successful class room management skill, especially when the teacher child ratio is high. Learning material that encourage self-learning and
self-evaluation. Activities that are more child-centred and provide a scope for experiential learning. Make art and craft one of the important components of school curriculum.
Clearly describe why you will succeed:
I strongly believe that this programme will succeed because I had the opportunity to study in an alternative school where multi level teaching was very successful, and am resolved to replicate this in a wider area. I have more than ten years of working experience in developmental education, which gives me confidence to carry out my conviction.
The strategy is to collaborate with government system. Because, it has sufficient infrastructure and human resource which need to be optimally utilised. This is the right time to intervene since there is a lot of emphasis and awareness on universalisation of elementary education.
The methodology of ‘on site’ and ‘one to one training’ is bound to work because there will be regular monitoring and support which is provided to the teacher. The main focus will be on empowering the teacher with skills, knowledge and motivation, who is a vital link in the education process of a child. Train teachers to use computers for bringing technology into teaching, this ultimately reaches the child. Since the area of operation is not very large, the efforts will be focused and effective.
What activities will be undertaken for the project:
How will the impact of the work be measured (data collection, interviews, etc.):
In the beginning I will get a base line survey done. The data to be collected is present enrollment, retention and percentage of attendance. Present levels of learning in all subjects will be collected by interviews and questionnaires. Present data on teachers skills, knowledge and motivation will be collected by interviews and questionnaires. Present learning environmental situation to be recorded by photographs. Present parental involvement to be gauged by interviews and discussions. Have periodical external evaluations done. Relay on tests and examinations conducted by government. Have regular feed back from district education officials and other NGOs.
What are the intermediate milestones:
First Year:
Second Year:
Third Year:
Fourth Year
What learnings from this work can be applied elsewhere & where:
The problem is a typical one. This situation is common throughout the district and even throughout the State in rural elementary schools. Therefore the experiences of this work can be applied in any rural school.
List the current financial resources, including any other grants or fellowships, available for the project work:
List any organisations, including universities, international agencies, NGOs, etc., involved in the work:
‘Sumavanam’ an alternative school for quality education is run by Mr. Narasimhan and Mrs. Usha Narasimhan at Cheegalabailu in Chittoor district. They also conduct trainings for NGOs involved in education.
Rishi Valley Rural Education Centre has several rural satellite schools around Rishi Valley. They are also involved in dissemination of teaching material. They have conducted trainings for teachers within and outside the state.
There are various NGOs such as Timbaktoo in Anatapur District, Pachasaale in Medak District, Vikasana in Bangalore, Diganthar in Jaipur, Srujana School in Nellore, Suvidya in Bangalore are only a few projects mentioned here which are doing exemplary work in alternative education. Recently the government has been showing keen interest in alternative education and with support of international agencies such as UNICEF, British Council has started working towards bringing quality in primary eduction. The State governments are giving importance to District Primary Education Programme (DPEP).
What level of funding are you requesting from Asha for Education (stipend, project funds, etc.)
First Year Financial support
Stipend per month Rs 8000
Expenses for learning materials per month Rs 5000
Non financial support: Reference material (encyclopedia, dictionary, globe etc.), Computer with printer, Reference soft ware
Second Year Financial support
Stipend per month Rs 8800
Expenses for learning materials per month Rs 5500
Non financial support: Active/Virtual volunteers in specialised areas (games, art, maths, English, Science, computer, etc.)
Third Year Financial support
Stipend per month Rs 9 680
Expenses for learning materials per month Rs 6 050
Non financial support: Active/Virtual volunteers
Fourth Year Financial support
Stipend per month Rs 9 680
Expenses for learning materials per month Rs 6 655
Non financial support: Active/Virtual volunteers
SECTION VIII: Declaration
I am 18 years of age or older
I am prepared to commit a minimum of 32 hours per week to the proposed work
I am prepared to commit to a minimum of 4 years to the proposed project starting June 2001.
I am not proposing an academic research project
I am not a prior recipient of Asha for Education Fellowship Program funding
The proposed project/work is not affiliated with any religious or political organisations
The proposed project/work is an independent and an autonomous project
The idea proposed is my original idea
I have attached a resume and other pertinent information to this application
I certify that I have answered all questions truthfully. I understand that if I have misrepresented myself or my proposed work, Asha for Education may disqualify my eligibility.
Signature: _________[A.Ravi]__________
Name: _________A.Ravi___________
Date: _________29th Jan 2001______
Dear Shanmuga,
Greetings.
Thank you for inviting me to the Asha Conference at Chengalpattu, it was a very interesting experience. I got to know many Asha friends and the work they are doing. Listening to such people made me stronger in my convictions and gave me many more ideas.
The meeting with you, Jayashree, Arundhati and others was very encouraging. As soon as I got back form Chengalpattu I started working on organising my thoughts on paper. Dr Gananath passed on the Asha for Education Fellowship application form. Which I have filled up and am sending it to you through Dr Gananath.
I hope that you take a positive descision soon. I am planning to start the work by June 2001.
Sincerely,
A. Ravi.