Transforming Rural Futures: Empowering Children Through the Skill in Village Program

A majority of the students from government schools have a fear of English as a language resulting in hampering their learning process. As per the (ASER Report, 2022, #UNESCO report 2021 State of the Education Report for India), In Maharashtra, only 55% of students enrolled in 5th std can read books prescribed for 2nd Std. Students from rural communities are often afraid to compete with the students of urban cities. In this era where English is a global language, rural students feel they are lagging. The study also revealed that #96% of students expressed an actual interest in learning the English language.

Skill in Village is an after-school program for students of 5th to 8th std enrolled in vernacular medium government schools that equip them with English Communication skills, and Life Skills such as Critical Thinking, Confidence Building, Creative Thinking, Leadership Skills, and Interpersonal Skills. The program is being run in partnership with the Deshpande Foundation. Following the ideals of MANAVLOK, the program has adopted a participatory approach where a small contribution from the student is taken to ensure accountability.

It's impressive to see the comprehensive approach outlined for the Skill in Village program, aiming to address critical educational challenges faced by rural students. Here's a breakdown of the key components and potential impact:

• Area of Operation and Expansion: The program is running in the drought-prone regions of Marathwada. It is being implemented in 8 schools of Beed District benefitting more than 600+ students.
• Implementation Structure: The program's structure ensures quality delivery through a team comprising teachers, cluster trainer, and cluster head. This multi-level approach enables personalized attention and continuous support for students and teachers alike.
• Program Approach and Activities: The emphasis on activity-based, interactive learning ensures engagement and fosters skill development. Monthly assessments and regular training sessions for teachers ensure alignment with best practices and quality assurance.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: The use of technology, such as a dedicated app for monitoring and evaluation, streamlines the process and enables real-time tracking of student progress and program effectiveness.
• Outcomes and Impact: The program has improved students' English proficiency, confidence, academic performance, and overall well-being. Additionally, the focus on bridging the urban-rural divide and enhancing students' competitiveness is noteworthy.

Most of the kids in the Skill in Village program come from families where the parents are either small farmers, laborers, or even sugarcane cutters. As a result, education has taken a backseat in the rural households. While MANAVLOK through myriad initiatives works hard to make sure farmers can grow crops even during Drought, we're also trying to raise awareness amongst parents about education.

The Skill in Village program is a remarkable initiative that fosters the holistic development of children, empowering them to become confident and skilled individuals. Within just one year, we've witnessed remarkable transformations in our students. Students, who were previously hesitant to converse even in Marathi with unfamiliar individuals, have now gained confidence in communicating in English. They are emerging as fearless, confident, and outspoken individuals.

Currently operational in 8 schools across the Ambajogai and Parli blocks of the Marathwada region, the program requires a minimum of 3 lakhs to sustain each school.

MANAVLOK, as a civil society organization, is dedicated to ensuring the success and expansion of this program, reaching as many students from rural backgrounds as possible. Your invaluable support has the potential to not only transform the lives of these students but also revolutionize the landscape of rural areas.

Help MANAVLOK create more impact and touch more lives by contributing to this fundraiser so that together we can build a better India for all of us.

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