Navsarjan Trust Schools
Gujarat
Maulik Nagri
October 2013
Agenda
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Background
Our Involvement
Student Count
2013-2014 Proposal
Observations during May 2013 site visit
Background
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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
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Recommend change in funding basis in 2013-2014: To
funding teacher salaries
Prior funding basis: scholarship program to encourage
enrollment of female students
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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
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Student count fell to 116 in 2013-2014 from 322 in 2012-2013 from 400 in
2011-2012
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Drop in students due to change in policy where students pay food costs
2013-2014 Proposal
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Change basis to funding teachers’ payroll in 2013-2014 vs. giving
scholarships for female and other under-privileged children in prior years
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Navsarjan requested: INR 1,475,000
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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.
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
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Observations during May 2013 Site Visit
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Visited school at Katariya and interviewed teachers,
students and parents
Navsarjan residential schools do “more with less”
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Schools are well-managed
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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
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)
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New philosophy that students pay for food expenses led to fall in
2013-2014 student count
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Consolidated teaching operations to a single location (Katariya)
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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
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Plan to move teaching operations to students to other schools during 2013-2104
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)
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Founder believes that student count will jump back in 2-3 years
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Founder stressed the need for better infrastructure and teaching
methods
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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
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
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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
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Navsarjan changed the format in 2013-2104
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First round organized at village or town level
Final round will be organized at one location rather
than in phases
Encouraged greater community participation
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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
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Completed 2nd floor in Sami School
Big foreign grant rolling off in September 2012
Plans for 2013-2014:
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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
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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
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Potential collaboration with IIM-Ahmedabad
Courses: Bee Keeping, Growing Mushrooms, Papier mache, Creating Wooden Toys, Wormicompost, Create furniture
Site Visit Pictures 2013-2014
Site Visit Pictures 2013-2014
Site Visit Pictures 2011-2012
Site Visit Pictures 2011-2012
THANK YOU