"i-initiate" - Project: Universal Primary Education

“Interactive Session on Right to Information Act – 2005”

2009-09-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

Date: 31/08/2009 Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pm

Venue: Matunga Mitra Mandal Hall (Karnatak Society)

On the occasion of Ganesh Utsav; Dr. Kavita Shanbhag and Matunga Mitra Mandal of Karnatak housing society organized 1 hour interactive session on Right to Information Act – 2005.

Dr. Kavita Shanbhag began the session by welcoming the team I-initiate, and also presented a small token of love to all the members of the team.

The session started with a thank you note by Raj Janagam to all the organizers of the session. Raj began with asking Question as to how many people know about RTI and there were quite a few hands in the air. Taking the session ahead Raj started with the basics of RTI i.e. by explaining all the ‘WH’ questions and then moved on with technical part of it. He gave many examples of the people who have filled RTI. He also shared the experience of the team and its work on RTI. The team also distributed blank formats of RTI application among the audience, to make them understand the basics of RTI and how they can file it.

As we had only 40 mins in hand, the explanations were very short but all the important points were covered by Raj. Jui also added to the content. The last 10 mins was the open house set for the people to ask questions, and there were several questions rose by the people like from where will I get the Court free stamp?, Where to submit the application?, Do we need to collect any application form from the office? And among all these one question was asked by a lady who herself acts as a PIO and who was asked for her residential address in the RTI application she received, so she asked whether it is mandatory for her to give her personal information to the applicant? Raj satisfactorily answered the entire questions rose by the people. Then he thanked all the organizers of the session for giving an opportunity to team I-initiate to take this session.

The whole session went very smoothly and left behind very promising atmosphere for collective actions for social concerns amongst all the 35 residents of the Karnatak society who attended the session. The programme came to an end with the vote of thanks by Dr. Kavita Shanbhag to the entire team of I-initiate for proving valuable information on RTI to the residence of the society.

Team I-initiate was very happy to conduct this session on 31/08/2007 as on the same day it had began its journey in RTI. So, the completion of 2 years of its journey left a smile on all the members of I-initiate.

Thankyou.

We got a new workspace!!

2009-06-24T03:30:00.000-07:00

We will work from here:
View I-initiate Workspace in a larger map

We made a Documentary on our research :)

2009-01-12T06:32:00.000-08:00

Here's our youtube video!
Check out:

Our Article in "JAM"

2008-03-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

Please Click here: http://www.jammag.com/etc/etcshow.php?art_id=412
Thanks :)

Our Website!!!

2008-03-20T05:53:00.000-07:00

We are very happy to announce the launching of our website on 59th Republic year of India!! On 26th Janaury 2008 we've launched our website:
www.i-initiate.org .

Thanks to our ever enthusiastic 'initiator' - Abhishek Daxini.

But since then it has been a very tough time to develop it. I appeal to all to help us by volunteering to build the wesite.

Thanks :)

Invitaion to a general meeting on the state of BMC Primary Education

2008-01-31T11:12:00.000-08:00

A General discussion on the State of BMC education and Importance of English in Primary Education.

When: 3rd February, 2008; 4pm – 5pm.
Where: Pukar Office, 1st Floor, Eastern Metal Works, 102, Dattaram Laad Road, Kalachowki, Mumbai – 36.
Contact person: Rajkumar: 9867987031, Jui: 9892837534.
(Please confirm your attendance by 2nd February with any of the above persons)

Agenda Breakup:
Research Introduction
Participants Introductions
General Statistics, State of BMC Schools & Case of English.
BMC – NGO Collaboration
Other major reasons for Dropouts.
Clarifications in the info collected if any / Open house
Advises for our Future Research.

Thanks :)

Important Notice...

2007-12-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

We are planning to launch a website!!!!!!
there are lot of updates happening in around 'Quality Reforms in Municipal Primary Education in Mumbai' as part of 'Sarvalaukik Prathamik Shiksha Mission' as well as our activities on 'Right To Information' as part of 'Youth Task Force Mumbai'......

Meanwhile for those who are visiting the blog for first time:
Please start from here: http://upemumbai.blogspot.com/2007/05/ideaobjective-of-venture.html for your better understanding on the Mission.

For any queries please write in to: edureforms@yahoo.co.in

Thank you...

Two Years of Right To Information :)

2007-10-12T00:57:00.000-07:00

Words of wisdom for today:

“Where is Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in

Knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in

Information?”

- Eliot

To the above: V.R. Kridshna Iyer, Formerly Judge,

Supreme court of India added:

“Where is the information we have lost in

Suppression?”

Well than it’s high time for all of us to smile because_

Today is RTI day...!!!!!

Happy RTI day to All Dear Indians.........

Let me guess your reactions:

1) Oh hum... may be just another day!!!

2) So may be some other day celebrations of any political party leaders or any celebration for may be tech savvy people (cause it includes reverse IT in it :P)

3) So what I never heard these words, I don’t care unless it’s on Feb 14!!!

4) I got it....is it celebrating Ratan Tata Institute?!!!!

5) Ok.....am lost tell me what????

Well I write this piece to all those ‘Yuva’ who wish to do their bit for India. (More worth than that screaming for Indian Team @ 20twenty final)....

And to all those friends who are interested in having a sense of social responsibility and wish a better governance with greater accountability and transparency for building tomorrow that will prove the world that Gen-next doesn’t only include Yuva who enjoy their lives either in canteen or in pubs or any other leisured hangouts but also it includes those who are concerned for the future of our nation and can make a difference all by themselves individually without depending upon any elder citizens or political youth wing or even their professors and parents!!

So friends let me reveal the suspense it’s Right To Information Day! Yeah... it’s the second anniversary of the only unique act in India which empowers all the citizens regardless of sex, age, religion etc. It’s the only act mostly to be implemented by all of ‘US - INDIVIDUALLY’ and not only the by our government.

It’s exactly two years since_

‘Right to Information Act – 2005’ in India became operational (120 days after it was passed by both the houses of parliament). i.e. on 12^th October 2005.

Background and Importance:

Right to Information is a Fundamental Right derived from Article 19 (1) of our ‘Right to Express’ mentioned in the constitution in India but it was only from 12^th October 2005, that this act gave procedures to all of us to operationalise it.

Though it was long before realized that our right to express depends upon our right to know or to have information by a number of Supreme Court judgments right from 1977, thanks to ‘Majdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan’ (MKSS) in rural areas of Rajasthan which bought it on the agenda of the nation paving way for its enactment in 2005.

Since then this is the only act for all the Indians which provides an alternative way to develop a responsible attitude by leaving the types of attitudes I classify as ‘Chalta hai’ and ‘Cribbing’, believe me it’s far more time saving, leisured, interesting and effective optimistic attitude to wipe out most of our problems ranging from getting control and fasten the red tapism in our bureaucratic structure, controlling bribe and corruption, and most of all, to actually build a new system governance for better India which is far more ‘Transparent and Accountable’ - for, by and of the people.

The Act is Beautiful because:

1. Universal Access – especially to the Poor (Visible in all the Public Authorities classified under the act covering all but few authorities in the interest of privacy of individuals and sovereignty of India )

2. Fee at a reasonable level (Rs.10/- across Maharashtra) - No fee for Below Poverty Line personnel.

3. SUO MOTTO (Proactive Disclosure by the public authorities on most of the basic information)

4. No need to specify reason for seeking information or other personal details.

5. Provision to reduce oral requests into writing.

6. Provision to provide all required assistance, including to sensorial disabled persons.

7. Information to be provided in local languages

And many more.....

Things you need when filing RTI is :

Ø A blank sheet of paper,

Ø Format of application for Maharashtra, (I am giving it at the end here...)

Ø Rupees 10/- , and

Ø Primarily the Right Questions to ask, for which the information shall be available (Hence use Questions without ‘Why’)

Now, what you need to do when you have all of the above:

Ø Know which is the concerned department for you RTI application,

Ø Try to identify the PIO of the department, (even if you fail to file the application at right place do not worry because it is the duty of that PIO to transfer it to right one within 5 days according to the Act)

Ø Try to frame the questions to get the effective reply,

Ø Keep the acknowledgement of either the receipt of paying the 10/- or a photocopy by the officer who takes the application. (By far try using registered post if not in person and also use court fee stamp of Rs. 10/- available in any court instead of running after DD’s/banker’s cheque/ receipt from the office....)

And please remember RTI is a powerful tool but not the solution to remove problems.... Since its recognition the act had been always in news for making great differences and reforms right from personal, local to national levels!

Blank RTI Application:

Annexure A

(See rule 3)

Format of application for obtaining information under the

Right To Information Act, 2005

To,

The Public information Officer,

(Name of the Office with Address)

(1) Full name of applicant:

(2) Address:

(3) Particulars of the information required:

(i) Subject matter of Information:

(ii) The period to which the information relates:

(iii) Description of the information required

(iv) Whether the information is required by post or in person

(v) In case by post:

(Ordinary, Registered or Speed)

(4) Whether the applicant is below poverty line:

(If yes, attach the photocopy of the proof thereof.)

Place:

Date: Signature of applicant

Some of the RTI’s experiences:

My name is Rajkumar Janagam, 19, Ramnarain Ruia College, TYBA - Philosophy.

I was introduced to RTI through newspapers since 2006 but I haven’t realized the greater importance and simplicity in using the RTI myself until I used it personally the 1^st RTI I filed on 4^th December 2006 with great help from Mrs. Vinita Singh from ‘Satark Nagrik Sanghatan’ (SNS) (where I am a member now) I had filed my first RTI at Mantralaya then at Municipal Education office at Hindu Colony, Matunga. Then another RTI was filed by our member of SNS Mr. Parind Shah wherein finally we were able to get much of the details we were looking for, through past RTI’s (These 3 RTI’s were filed to get the minutes of an official meeting chaired by DMC of education Mumbai with primary teachers across Mumbai). Then another RTI was filed by Jui. Gangan, 20, SYBA, Ruia College, for seeking some basic statistics of BMC schools, meanwhile with all the members of SNS Mumbai we did the survey on the implementation of section 4 of the RTI Act known as ‘Suo Motto’ wherein we went on collecting its implementation across couple of ward offices in Mumbai and meanwhile I filed another RTI for knowing the developmental interventions for the tribes in Mumbai and Thane.

The point I want to make here is that after having the RTI experience for over 10 months we (students who know RTI) felt the need to explain it to all the youngsters we can and thus we are running a program called “Youth Task Force - Mumbai” wherein we are conducting the interactive workshops on RTI in different colleges the intention is to spread the awareness and create a sense of social responsibility amongst the students through the use of Right To Information.

Meanwhile the experience gained after attending couple of RTI workshops from Mr. Shailesh Gandhi -Convener NCPRI, (the RTI pamphlets from NCPRI were distributed in our first RTI workshop at Ruia College) is of immense help. I am also supposed to be actively participating in the RTI helpdesk for citizens held every Friday by the Women’s Graduate Union, Colaba, after an interview process along with Mr. Jadhav who presently is the person running the helpdesk. We also got the support of Mr. Narayan Verma trusty of ‘BCAS’ foundation and Mr. Bhaskar Prabhu the Convener of ‘Mahiti Adhikar Munch’ in distributing the RTI pamphlets at our recent workshop we took at M.D College near Gandhi Hospital. As for now since our exams are from next weak we will take rest for a while as we have very promising plans to held couple of RTI workshops in different colleges and center’s for social gatherings after our exams that is from November.. J

My Appeal to all:

1. Please don’t waste your time blaming the system do spend you 10 minutes in reforming it. Imagine our India where through RTI at least a million people demanding the Transparent and Accountable government for which our forefathers coined the word ‘Swaraj’, will surely be a reality if all of us start knowing our system and take part and let ourselves build India of our dreams.....

2. Read newspaper articles on success and importance of RTI uses.

3. Participate in the campaigns like the ‘Jawabdya Abhiyaan’ by Mr. Shailesh Gandhi which will save the loss of thousands of crores of public money. This campaign was the outcome of the results he obtained under Right To Information.

4. Spread the awareness of Right To Information

So let’s wish: Happy Birthday to ‘Right To Information’....

Long Live ‘Right To Information’,

Long live ‘Participatory Democracy’,

Long Live India!

My contact details:

philosophy369@yahoo.co.in / edureforms@yahoo.co.in

For RTI related information the websites:

	www.righttoinformation.info	National Campaign For People's Right To Information
	www.mahadhikar.org	Mahadhikar
	www.snsindia.org	Satark Nagrik Sanghatana
	www.prajanet.org	Praja
	www.rti.gov.in	National Right to Information Portal
	www.persmin.nic.in/RTI/WelcomeRTI.htm	RTI
	www.freedominfo.org	Freedom of Information
	www.right2information.wordpress.com	RTI cases
	www.r2inet.org	R2i net
	www.indiarti.blogspot.com	RTI blog
	www.sakshitrust.org	NGO
	www.rti.aidindia.org	Association for indias dev
	www.satyamevajayate.info	satyamev jayate
	www.irtk.org	International Right to Know Campaign
	www.foi-asia.org	Freedom of Information - Asia
	www.transparency.org	Transparency International
	www.tiindia.in	Transparency International - India

Source: CED website (public domain)

“The real Swaraj will come not by

The acquisition of authority by

A few but by the acquisition

Of capacity by all to resist authority when abused.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

YTF Activities?????

2007-09-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

This question is for all...............
You tell us what should Youth Task Force Do?
We plan to use Right To Information as our chief tool wherever possible.
We are already working in building voices of the slum dwellers who send their children to Municipal Schools in Mumbai....For which this blog is the Notice Board!!
Happy reading....
We are waiting for Comments.....
Thank you..........

"YOUTH TASK FORCE - MUMBAI"

2007-09-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

YTF Evolution and Philosophy:

Folks the concept or idea of YTF is very much still to be discovered but the name Youth Task Force is actually got from the by the same YTF programme run in Delhi by an organization called JOSH (Joint Operation for Social Help) the founder members being Mr. Saurabh Sharma, Aheli whom i met in Delhi during a workshop from a programme called Change Looms. We all were the finalists for that workshop wherein across India young people who wanna bring some social changes were invited.Well coming back to the topic the youth of Delhi about more than 300 + have been actively coming together to build a transparent governance there have been many instances where they all came together apolitically and displayed their concern about diverse social issued mostly using Right To Information as their chief tool for demanding transparency and accountability from the government. So we all the youngsters till now whoever is in the YTF are discussing amongst ourselves about possible establishment of a similar programme (in the sense: " by the youth") here in Mumbai after days of discussion with Delhi youth and many around in Mumbai all the people pledged the creation of a completely INDEPENDENT AND SELF ESTABLISHED AND RUN BODY BY THE YOUTH here in Mumbai.And thus came the 'Youth Task Force' MumbaiNow the big questions: what will YTF Mumbai DO? and who will lead it? Who will run it? Who will be in the limelight with it? Who will work more for it? Who will coordinate things? Who will be the resource providers? Who will be the connectors of YTF Mumbai with across All the YTF's in India?.....etc...etc.... will be OPEN TO ALL THE YTF MEMBERS WHO HAVE JOINED IT / JOIN NOW/ WILL JOIN LATER!So each and every decision and know how shall be done by all of us, that is no single person will ever be the leader! be the Manager be the name winner for or through "YTF Mumbai"So dear all.....Please respond in this thread do you like the concept or not, or any changes need to be done or anything more?

Right To Information Workshop

2007-09-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

“Interactive Session on Right To Information - 2005”

- By the Students and To the Students

Date: 31/08/2007 Time: 12 noon to 2 pm

Venue: Ruia College (Audio Visual Room)

Organizers: ‘Ruia NSS unit, SPSM, Toy Bank and Josh’

The session was completely planned, organized & managed by Students. And it is safe to say that the session was simply Excellent!

The whole session went very smoothly and left behind very promising atmosphere for collective actions for social concerns amongst all the youngsters who attended the session.

As the idea of the session to arrange it without any Chief Guest! (So no ‘bhashans’ / big talks or gyaan) And to make it very simple and interactive was the idea of many students came within themselves. As a result the attendance of the students was huge as many as around more than 100 students and others participated in the session.

The session begun with the welcome and thanks giving note by Satya S Naidu (TYBA) then a short introduction by Rajkumar N Janagam (TYBA) about the supporters for the event: Toy Bank and JOSH (Joint Operation for Social Help) and SNS (Satark Nagrik Sanghatan) was introduced. Then the session started with the screening of a Right To Information Song. Then Rajkumar N J started with the presentation of Right To Information Act – 2005 for around 40 minutes each and every aspect of the Act was touched and explained in a very simple way the presentations was specially prepared for the event in a very attractive manner. The presentation starting from the question: “Do we have problems?” to the “Significance of RTI Act” in today’s world was completely narrated in a comfortable Hindi.

Taking the session ahead the next event was the experience sharing and how to draft RTI to get information in effective manner was narrated by Jui Gangan (SYBA) quoting the significance of the act in making the individual empowerment and the sense of respect the RTI Act gives to all the common citizens was explained by her. Every minute aspect like the use of effective delivery system for the RTI application to the best method and the fee for the application and the appeal processes was explained by Jui Gangan.

After a 10 min tea break the session started off with the experience sharing and the importance of RTI in rural places to urban areas was explained by a very special invitee another youngster from Yavatmal District (Vidharba) _ ‘Mr. Santosh Jadhav’ (the founder of ‘Tanda Biradari’ : working for the rights of nomadic tribes in his district ) he narrated his experiences in using RTI for getting information regarding the nomadic communities in his district. He also gave the reference of RTI books available in Marathi.

Then there was the announcement of ‘Youth Task Force – Mumbai’ by Rajkumar, wherein he desired the concept of social responsibility amongst the youth and wished everyone to contribute into building the programme whose objectives would be ‘youth mobilization for building the social concerns’ and using RTI’s for building the transparency and accountability in the system and most importantly to try to think and act for Actions independently without coming under any formal organization or getting pressed to shell out time in weekly or monthly basis because according to ‘Youth Task Force’ the basic funda would be ‘To think as leaders and act as friends’ the main important weapon would be ‘Right To Information’ as the method to be followed to make the difference, starting with questioning , questioning and questioning the system and even designing the possible solution by young generation by youth themselves!

After the concept introduction of ‘Youth Task Force’, the open house was set and the students who presented the session were asked several questions by other students on Right to Information as introduced in the whole session. The session continued with a short video clip of Mr. Shailesh Gandhi – RTI expert taken by the students. The programme came to an end with the vote of thanks by Satya to all starting from the students till all the supporters and facilitators of the event especially their college authorities in providing such the facility, the collection of the feedback forms and the distribution of the RTI pamphlets facilitated by Mr. Shailesh Gandhi happened with also providing with the contact details of ‘Youth Task Force – Mumbai’

· The group of students who presented the whole session (Youth Task Force Members) wish to do the same kind of workshops in other colleges of Mumbai, so anyone who wish to contact them for the same or who wish to join ‘Youth Task Force’ can contact them at: ytfmumbai@yahoo.co.in

· The trio Satya, Jui and Raj are working for last 11 months to do research and build the voice of the slum dwellers under the name ‘Sarvalaukik Prathatmik Shiksha Mission’ whose objective is to bring the Qualitative improvement in the Municipal Primary Education system, those who wish to contribute in anyway to their mission can do so by contacting them at: educationalreforms@yahoo.co.in

· The workshop got the coverage from 4 new agencies: ‘DNA’, ‘Yuva’, ‘Maharashtra times’, ‘Mahanagri Times’.

· The feedback forms were distributed and collected back and analyzing them is in process.

· All the students who attended will be reminded back and invited to join YTF – Mumbai through SMS, Calls and Emails.

· The whole session was video recorded (editing in process)

Change Looms - 2007

2007-08-18T12:23:00.001-07:00

Yes, we are the participants of DAC - final process of selection of change loomers 2007.. for more info about it please visit: http://www.ashoka.org/changelooms
and still about our project...It's all before you people here!

15/07/07 Meeting Minutes..

2007-08-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

The meeting was with the Parents from Telugu Community in Worli, We had on the other end many representatives from diverse lingiustic organisations..
Anyone if interested can mail me to have the minutes of the meeting.Thanks

Updates........

2007-08-07T13:11:00.001-07:00

I need some time to update here lots of happenings in UPE...please check back soon..

Discussion or Meeting on Universal Primary Education

2007-07-16T00:36:00.000-07:00

First Meeting or Discussion on Universal Primary Education took place at "Padmashaali Sangham" 108, BDD Chawls, Worli on July 15, 2007. We had guests with experience and knowledge. Many people(around 80) turned out for Meeting. This is first ever meeting held for this Movement.

I don't have much details about Meeting, But "Raj" will give complete update on what happened in couple of Days.

Thanks to all guests and people who came and encouraged us in many ways.

Special Thanks to Sridhar, Madan(of Freinds Association) and all members of Friends Association who worked hard for this meeting to be happened, right from reserving hall, inviting people and pinging them again and again, till end. The Support from Friends Association was invaluable and we expect a long term relationship with Friends Association.

Need not to mention, but still, thanks to Jui and Rinkesh(he came all the way from Vikhroli). These are working with Raj.

You can find few snaps taken at http://www.flickr.com/photos/koteswara_sarma/sets/72157600850236783/

Keep watching and giving suggestions.......

Your inputs are Welcome

Progress on UPE

2007-07-09T22:34:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

We discussed about UPE(Universal Primary Education) in SNS(Satark Nagril Sangathan) Meeting and How to proceed for research on Current Condition of Schools and Education Levels. We know that Children who study in Vernacular Schools, are facing problems in their Secondary or Higher Education. But we would like to have some data or statistics to back-up the issue. This is the area we are going to spend time and do some research about possible alternatives.

There are couple of RTIs filed in Education Department and which are supposed to get reply within 30 days, but still we did not get reply. We filed RTIs 45 days ago. Now we are continuously meeting people to get the status about RTIs, but we are yet to get any response.

Finally, I need Volunteers, needless to say Committed, to share some work load. Any help is Appreciated.

Raj and Sarma

We Need Help...

2007-06-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Though We have active Core Groups working from different parts in Mumbai,
We need more support from interested people to work along with us.
So, If anyone can join us please feel comfortable to get in touch with us..
Thank You.

Survey # 1: Cheeta Camp.

2007-06-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Cheeta Camp, Trombay:
We made a 3 day survey in the Cheeta camp in Trombay and found many people supporting our initiative and also very desperate for the conversion of Tamil Medium Schools to English Medium keeping Tamil as second Langauge... The Survey was done by Satya, Jui and Me (Last day only). Here are our experience reports...

Experience Report From Satya:
While conducting survey in cheetah camp slum area, we communicated with the parents of those children who are studying in B.M.C. schools (Tamil and Urdu) medium. As we were trying to know their problems and how much they are satisfied with quality of B.M.C. education. There response clearly show the decline in interest in B.M.C. education.Mr. Kalimuttu a labour in a jute factory earns around 2700 Rs per month, says that "I’ll try my best to provide my children with food, clothing and shelter but only education is the problem, I don’t want to spoil my son’s future by enrolling him to B.M.C. schools and to be illiterate is one and the same as my eldest son though completed his 7th Std doesn’t know how to write a sentence in English and can’t even read the newspaper in Tamil. Till 4th Std he didn’t even know how to write his own name.We know Govt. promises and their so called new policis which are just like old wine in a new bottle and are not meant for the real improvement.Most of the parent’s work on daily wages, they themselves don’t know how much they’ll earn next day whatever they earn they utilize for fulfilling the basic necessities. According to them if the Govt. fulfill the need of qualitative education to their children then atleast they would be bit relaxed from this burden and tension of their children’s future.We had talks with the students and they said: "It’s not a cup of tea for us, that after 7th Std, we began our study in English language which is so difficult at this age. Ultimately we are helpless in our studies burden and mostly fail.The first ranker of B.M.C school Master Ayyappa Muttuvella when joined Saraswati school English medium not even got the last rank, and strived hard to just clear his 8th Std. This is the main cause of dropout of students as they lack interest to complete there education... We also chated with a B.M.C. teacher she didn’t tell us her name but do answered our question when we asked that are you completely satisfied with the prevailing condition of B.M.C. schools and its quality, she began her sentences with the biggest No! and added that the "schools need a drastic change, our month is shut by the Govt. but parent’s can play a vital role as this is their duty towards their children to provide better education.The idea of spreading Universal Primary Education among the masses is fabulous and talking about make over of B.M.C education by introducing English from 1st is indeed a good plan but we can’t help you as we are the puppet in the hand of our Govt." It clearly states that the teacher has no problem with the Educational change in B.M.C. schools, parents are eagerly waiting for the change as well as students why we still have obstacles here?

My Experience Report :

As I was able to go only the last day of our survey here is my experience of that day: On 19th May Me, Jui, and Satya went for the 3rd and final survey in the slum areas of ‘Cheeta Camp’ while the former 2 visits were done by Jui and Satya. We interacted with many parents who send their kids to the BMC Schools in Tamil Medium and enquired them whether they are satisfied with the present curricula being taught in the school or they are ready for the desired change we wish to bring through ‘Universal Primary Education’ that is to convert Tamil Medium Schools to English Medium Schools keeping Tamil as the 2nd Language. The Overall Response from those parents was very positive and when enquired whether they would attend any public meeting if held in their vicinity debating the concerned issue we got cent percent promise and even their own willingness to have the meeting as soon as possible.Another interesting interaction I had with an old lady known as ‘Indraniamma’ in one of the lanes wherein I learnt that she is the grandmother of 4 children whose mother has expired and father is deceased so she is the sole bread earner from last couple of years(now the eldest kid is working) according to her the eldest male child left his BMC education in 6th the reason being many one she referred is the sure failure the child may face after 7th std due to non availability of the Tamil education in the vicinity and now she is guarding the education of three little grand daughters of her who are in std 4th,4th,and 2nd respectively for whom she is thinking to stop the educating them after 7th because of the same reason, here I think I found a sensitive case study which we can take forward, I had promised her a visit again and told her about our plan of action and the possible meeting for which she agreed to cooperate with us. After we completed interacting with as many parents as we found in the locality we went to the Local Tamil Samajam i.e. their ‘Tamil Rahivasi Sangh’ wherein we interacted with the committee members and got the full interest of them in the issue and also their willingness to support in organizing the ‘Public Meeting’ in the vicinity,We also found out that there is a Church Nearby where there is ample of space and also convenience to have the meeting held in that area.Overall the 3rd n final day of the survey was very fruitful and promising.

Experience Report by Jui:

Day 1: On 26th of April 2007 I and Satya conducted a survey at cheeta camp, it was our first survey at cheeta camp. It was the open day (results) of B.M.C. schools, there with the permission by Head Master/ Senior teacher of the B.M.C. school we did the survey of the school and also interacted with the parents who were present there. The infrastructure of the school is very good. The school is for Tamil and Urdu medium. The school had computers, science lab, etc. The HM of the school was very co-operative,she gave us information of all the facilities that are provided to the students like Mid-day Meal, even the problems faced by them/the over pressure upon them. Communicating with the parents of the students studying in that school was easy as the parents were happy with the facilities in the B.M.C. school but according they feel that they are deprived of something so desired subject that is English. The parents we met there were not financially stable to send their children to private schools,so they agreed with our point of introduction of English in B.M.C. schools. They gave us their contact details and told us that they are ready to come for meeting whenever we ask them to do so.But while communicating with the parents we got more and more support from the Urdu people there, even they wanted the introduction of English in B.M.C. Urdu schools. There we even met such students from the private school who were campaigning for their own schools and were requesting the parents and the students to leave the B.M.C. school and take admission in the private schools.The overall response of the parents and students was good.

Day 2: On 4th may 2007 Me and satya went to cheeta camp, slum area for the 2nd time, we went to Trombay from cheeta camp seacrhing for the south-Indian people. The south-Indian people are mostly setteled in the Trombay area. There we went to each house and interacted with the parents whose children study in the B.M.C. schools. As the people in that area were not financially stable most of the kids in that area study in the B.M.C. schools.There we chated with different people with different views, as most of the people were labours in that area they cannot afford to send their wards to private schools. There I also came accross to a point that the Boy child in most of the families study in the Private schools and the girl child in the B.M.C. schools. When enquuired about why is it so they told ke "Ladki ko private school me bhejne ki kya jarurat hai,thode din ke baad shadi karvadenge to padhayi kyu chahiye."There we met Mr. Kashinathan, Mrs.Manimeghala who understood the importance of english and wanted their wards to study in the english medium schools but due to lower income they cant afford to do this. So they were very happy with the idea of the introduction of English in B.M.C. schools. They supported our views.We even met such of people there who were least interested with the matter and were not in the mood to hear, but the people who were interested agreed to support us for the campaign,by giving us their contact numbers.Mr. Kasinathan assured to bring 50 members for the meeting who really are interested to bring English in the B.M.C. schools, so the overall response of the people was good.

Day 3: The Survey was done by Satya, Raj and meWe made a 3 day survey in the Cheeta camp at Trombay and many people there supported our initiative for the conversion of south-Indian Medium Schools to English Medium schools keeping the mother tongue as second Language...While conducting a survey at cheetah camp slum area, there we searched for such people whose kids study in B.M.C. schools (south-Indian). Most of the children in that area study in private schools i.e. English medium, rather then B.M.C. schools, inspite of the lower income of their parents. But out of them we even met such parents whose children go to B.M.C. schools. While communicating with the parents and making them understand the situation was not much difficult. Most of the people there like were very co-operative and the positive point was that they understood the importance of English very well. We communicated with different parents like Sarvaraj, Jairaj there who are not financially stable but they want their children to study English. They told us about the problems they face incase of education. When we actually told them about our plan of Universal Primary Education and work they were very happy to hear that they themselves can help to introduce English in B.M.C. schools. So, they agreed to support us. They gave us their contact numbers and address and also told us that they will join us whenever we call them for the meeting.We also met committee members of Mariamman temple trust. After explaining them the whole situation and conditions of B.M.C. schools appreciated the initiative. They promised to help us in arranging public meeting in the vicinity.The conclusion to the 3rd survey is that there is a positive reply of the people on the issue of "Universal Primary Education".

Orkut Community

2007-06-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

This is our community on Orkut:
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=22140895

Do participate in the forums of the community.

Individual Case Studies...

2007-06-09T09:12:00.001-07:00

We are making efforts to design individual case studies also if anyone interested to know them do mail me, and if anyone can contribute any case studies realting to this issue are heartly welcome.
Come lets join hands and bring light...
"Work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed."
-Vaclav Havel.

4th RTI for the Issue..

2007-06-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

On 22nd May we filed an RTI at BMC Education Dept. asking the basic statistical data:{Enrolments,No.of Schools,Literacy Rate,Teachers qualification,etc} of the South Indian Medium Schools in Mumbai run by BMC since 2000 till date.
waiting for reply

3rd RTI Application

2007-06-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

On 18th of May We filed another RTI asking about the details of the meetings held by the BMC Education Department:
by one of the volunteer from Satark Nagrik Sanghatan.
Waiting for reply....

The "Meeting Reports" in TOI...(Most Imp)

2007-06-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

These are the reports which clearly proves that a meeting did happened by the BMC Education dept. to discuss this issue:
This is what Happened Last Year:
Publication: Times of India Mumbai; Date:2006 Oct 10; Section:Times City; Page Number: 2
by Anahita Mukherji I TNN
"Civic South Indian Schools To Go Enlish Way"Mumbai: With English being the preferred medium for education across all sections of society, even the BMC has considered converting municipal south Indian schools into English medium schools . The number of children going to BMC’s Tamil, Telugu and Kannada-medium schools has been rapidly declining over the years, with less than 1,000 students currently enrolled in these schools . The department will hold talks on Tuesday with teachers in these institutions and a final decision will follow later. “Children who pass out of south Indian schools after Std VII face a problem because there are no secondary schools in south Indian languages. It would be better if they learnt in English from the start,’’ said an official from the BMC education department. Given the fact that English is virtually lingua franca, most parents — even from a lower socio-economic section — want to put their kids into an English medium school . A BMC school teacher from the western suburbs welcomed the decision saying most students from south Indian schools drop out of the education system after Std VII due to the non-availability of secondary schools in the same language. “And those who join English-medium schools find it difficult to cope and drop out either after the first term, or after failing the final exams. Very few complete Std X,’’ she said. A major problem faced by teachers in south Indian schools is also the non-availability of textbooks. While language textbooks are ordered from south Indian states, texts for the remaining subjects have to be translated from English by the teachers themselves. “By the time translation and printing is complete, the year is over,’’ said one teacher.
A civic school teacher at the Joglekarwadi Tamil school , Sion, said the shift to English, keeping Tamil as a second language, would be a good move. “Most teachers have their degrees in English and would not have any trouble teaching the language,’’ she added. Not everyone, however, is in favour of the plan. Some teachers feel that it will be very difficult for children to cope with English as they come from poor families where parents only speak in the south Indian language. A number of parents have also objected to the proposed change.
This article ended here.
You can Check Out this report in TOI's Archives:http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA2LzEwLzEwI0FyMDAyMDI=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

The Report in Times after two days...
Publication: Times Of India Mumbai; Date:2006 Oct 12; Section:Times City; Page Number: 7 BMC teachers oppose switchover
Mumbai: Teachers employed in BMC-run schools that have a south Indian language as their medium of instruction have expressed their displeasure at the civic authority’s move to switch to English as a medium. Nearly 99 per cent of teachers who attended the BMC’s Tuesday meeting called to discuss the change spoke against the move, saying that the students who came to these civic schools were from poor backgrounds and spoke no English at home. It would be difficult for the children to learn all subjects in a language alien to them, opined the teachers. However, BMC education officer Nemchand Shitole said the growing importance of the English language had resulted in a dwindling number of students in its Tamil, Telegu and Kannada schools. He felt that a shift to English would attract more students. When some teachers expressed the need for secondary schools in South Indian languages (BMC’s south Indian schools are only up to Class VII), Shitole argued that there was no such demand primarily due to the already few number of children opting for south Indian schools. TNN
The report ends here.
And here goes the link for this report in TOI's site: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA2LzEwLzEyI0FyMDA3MDI=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

Full Story of My RTI Applications..

2007-06-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

My First RTI:
I've filed RTI on 4th dec asking for info on BMC's meetings/reports/proposals ever made for conversion of BMC run Telugu medium schools to English medium schools keeping a book of Telugu.

Reply of 1st RTI:
I got the reply of my first RTI according to which at the state level there is no plan for converting telugu medium schools to english medium keeping a book of telugu and at BMC level there may be some work going on of which the state government is not aware of....! so i now move to the Education officer for collecting information.....

MY Second RTI:
The question i asked under RTI in Education Dept:
(3) Particulars of the information required:
(i) Subject matter of Information: Please provide me with copies of any report/meeting minutes/proposal/internal notes related to conversion of BMC – run Telugu medium schools in Mumbai to English medium schools keeping one language book of Telugu.
(ii) The period to which the information relates: June 2005 till date.
(iii) Description of the information required: Copies of any reports/minutes of meetings/proposals/internal notes related to conversion of BMC – run Telugu medium schools in Mumbai to English medium schools (with first language as Telugu).

The Reply I Got for this:
They replied me in following three points:
1) There is no such Official information,
2) No Resolution Passed,
3) Not Even Discussed in Any of the Official meetings.
For your kind information.
signedDeputy Education Officer (I/C)
.............
Some more replies to the same RTI!!!!!
Very Mysterious but also very true that i have recieved one more parcel containing 3 pages of reply for my 2nd RTI after 15 days of getting the 1st reply! Most amazing is that BMC have so much time to send not one but two replies total of 4 pages of replies to 1 question asked under only a single RTI and that too within 30 days. But it seems that the BMC Edu Dept. particularly lacks proper knowledge of the act or also failed to interpret my simple question...
Now, what the reply was:
1st page contained(Everything in Marathi ofcourse):
That they have attached some two pages behind that front page fulfilling my request for information, this page was signed by some Deputy Education officer;
2nd page contained:
That 'P' ward and 'R' ward have ten telugu schools and that none of these telugu schools have been converted to English medium, this page was signed by the two Administrative Officers of the respective wards;
3rd page contained:
The names of 10 schools {2 from R/south, 2 from R/central, 2 from P/South, 1 from P/West old, 3 from again P/West} in a tabular form and under that format was a short paragraph saying that in the above mentioned Telugu schools all the subjects are taught in Telugu and that according to the state governments rule only one language book of english is taught in the curriculum and that none of the mentioned schools have been converted to English medium, signed by higher official [designation not visible clearly may be a Beat Officer] for Telugu language.Well at the end of each page some official had signed and they've given a designation but they haven't written their names anywhere except the last official.
Well as for now i can be safe not to expect more such confusing and useless replies to my RTI as the date limit of a month is over...

Success!

2007-05-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

Q. How will you know you have been successful?
Ø My Success would start from basic awareness of the issue in public to organizing Mass Campaigns to raising a petition and getting response from the government executives from
Department of primary education that they will look after the petition and bring the necessary
Changes in the present system by making it more accountable to the public till I see the actual
Implementation of different interventions, and most importantly when I can get assured that:
“Every child is in school and is having the best education available free of cost”

What I do..

2007-05-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Q. How have you gone about changing the hearts and minds of the community to adopt your idea? How have you been successful? Give examples. What else do you plan to do in order to get people’s buy-in?
A. As I always carry a collection of various articles and reports on the issue collected from past newspapers and magazines and by highlighting some of the individual case studies to the masses I was successful in convincing the parents to rethink their role in deciding the education of their as well as other children. In order to get more and more peoples buy in we plan to hold common meetings from of parents from varies backgrounds and also arranging some awareness drives wherein I actually plan to raise a petition for the issue.

Challenges Ahead..

2007-05-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

Q. What do you see as the challenges that you face or will be facing? How do you propose to address these challenges?

A. To persuade people to get involved and have faith in the system has always been my primary challenge which I tackled successful till now. To have a devoted set of companions and have a large database of authentic resources would be of immense help to me to address these challenges.

Some more related issues..

2007-05-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Q. In what way does your work address discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, gender, disability and/or sexual orientation?

Ø Yes, in a way when during my survey I found that many of the slum dwellers who send their boy child to private English medium schools do not send their girl child to the same but send them to government run municipality schools this exposes many varied problems with the mindset of the average man in urban life as this can be considered as an example and also a proof of orthodox notions in the minds of these people about the government education.

My Strategy..

2007-05-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Q. What is your strategy to address this problem and what activities have you done and/or are planning to do to achieve your goals?

Ø My Strategy would follow through the awareness campaigns about the working of this public sector and persuade people to take part in the process of administration hence creating sort of accountability and thus bring the desired results, this would further include holding a petition before the government to make this issue visible to all.
Till now my prime activity has always been creating mass awareness on this critical issue, for that I have propagated the message in various social gatherings, interacting with slum dwellers about the issue and also I extensively used internet to reach out to people and have created a community where many people joined me and wish to extend their support to me. I have also filed Two RTI’s one with the state government and one with Municipality for getting the information regarding the meetings wherein the agenda happened would be for curriculum development. And now I have some of my friends who would be helping me with my research in the system and also in my awareness drives. Now we are planning to hold a full fledged scheduled survey from June {starting of the academics} in various Municipality Schools and slums as well we are also trying out to bring the media to highlight the need of the matter and further we plan to have few individual case studies of the affected children due to problems in getting free education and it’s quality in future.

Scope of the issue..

2007-05-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Q. What are the implications of this problem on the lives of people you are serving? How does this issue impact the people? Why should the broader society be concerned about this?

Ø As it can be said that the only way for the poor to get out from the vicious circle of poverty is through literacy and basic primary education, By making the foundations of education to these masses we can be assured about a long term implications in the lives of these people when they take secondary education and get some good jobs. As it is the matter of providing free education to all children by the government the duty in our democracy ultimately falls on the shoulders of all the people irrespective of any discrimination. Hence broader Society should definitely look upon this issue.

In Brief..

2007-05-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Q. Defination of the need or problem we are addressing. Why do we think this problem exists?
Ø The problem we are addressing is the failure of the government in providing Quality Free and Compulsory education to all under Right to Education Bill 2005.
The problem of incapability of government schools to attract and provide quality primary education can be learned by following general observations:

1. The most important is the medium of instruction and the Curriculum they follow which is basically based that all subjects are in the Vernacular language and only one book of "English" language, hence it's not English Medium like what the private schools provide and what the parents actually want their child to learn in considering the Carrier opportunities which demand English Background,
2. The orthodox feelings of parents that government schools cant give Quality Education and Discipline as in private run schools,
3. Poor Infrastructure in some of the Schools,
4. Lack of availability of secondary Education in primary government schools unlike private schools, as it's a tough competition out there to get a seat in secondary school after 7th STD,
5. Lack of proper implementation of varies interventions planned under different schemes,
6. Poor quality of meals under mid day meal scheme in many schools,
7. Accountability by teachers and other staff to parents
8. Infact the work load for the teachers of primary schools is so much that they are almost invincible in classes to teach, hence forcing the completion of syllabus,
9. The Situation is becoming worse as the drop out rate goes on increasing and the classes are condensed and as a result in many schools the classes of all the standards from 1st to 7th are conducted simultaneously in one classroom which is quite horrible for any student.
10. The last thing is that the physical training activities are conducted poorly unlike private schools the reasons for this are many ranging from lack of availability of proper playgrounds to lack of sufficient lectures and emphasis on physical training and sports.

Idea/Objective of the Venture

2007-05-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

To create awareness in masses about the developmental issues and their implementation in field of Free Primary Education provided by government and to expose the drawbacks in the system in implementations of various interventions and to create a mass consensus and thus getting solution to the varies problems.

Introduction..

2007-05-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

This blog will serve as the Notice Board on the Web about all the updates and problems in raising the campaign called:

"Universal Primary Education" or

"Sarvalaukik Prathamik Shiksha"

In Mumbai.