Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM)

1. Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement(SVYM) Health, Education & Community Development are SVYM's core areas of direct intervention.

2. Shikshanavahini The process focused to strengthen primary education, by increasing enrolment & retention of children in government schools with the involvement of SDMC , GP & parent community

3. Projects Directly working in • H.D.kote taluk • Bijapur district With partner NGOs in • Hagaribommanahalli & bellary taluks-Bellary • Badami & Jamkhandi of Bagalkot • Devadurga in Raichur district.

4. Role of community in the past • Parents were passive observers for more than 20 years. • Chieftains, village elders , panchayat leaders – part of SBCs & VECs—children studying in private school

5. Community involvement -Why • Parents – high stake • Decision making –owning decisions • Blaming govt.will reduce

6. Involvement of SDMCs • Physical participation • Awareness of school related issues • Opine & decide on certain issues • Implementing

7. Strategy • Use structures that already existed & not establish parallel ones. • Partner with NGOs, Local residents,SHGs. • Develop a spirit of volunteerism

8. Strategy of Shikshanavahini • Partner with other NGOs • SDMC workshops • Trainings • Campaigns • Teacher motivation workshops • Children motivation • School support centers • Taluk & district level federation platforms

9. Training & awareness • Knowledge of allocated funds • Whom to approach • No of school days • Importance of collective action

10. SDMC contribution • Donated Plates, note books, Jamakhana etc • Mid day meal – lot of responsibility • Organized accommodation for teachers • Appointed teacher volunteers – paid honorarium • Attended meetings – incurring travel • Supervised the construction

11. Gram panchayat involvement • Sagare high school in Mysore district • 400 children with 3 teachers • GP paid for one teacher –Rs.3,000 x 10 months –30,000=00 • SVYM paid Rs.3,000 x 2 teachers x 10 mths –60,000=00 paid by GP

12. Taluk & district level SDMC federation • Shortage & transfer of teachers • Delay in the release of funds • Retention issues • Sharing of best practices • Misuse of funds –notice to the dept. • Collective action • Child friendly policies • Learning outcome

13. Challenges • Misuse of funds • President need to involve other members • Real Meetings to be conducted & on paper • Lack of information on various issues • Take more responsibilities & release teachers for teaching • Importance of education

14. Strengths A platform for exchange of ideas/learning's for mutual benefit Immediate solution to problems Identification & recognition of best SDMCs Implementation of Govt. program –Optimum level Practical solutions from various corners for school problems Advise to rectify the mistakes availability of details Proper information

15. Weakness • A platform for exchange of ideas/learning's for mutual benefit • Immediate solution to problems • Identification recognition of best SDMCs • Opportunity for all School SDMC members to participate • Optimum implementation of Govt. program • Practical solutions from various corners for school problems • Advise to rectify the mistakes availability of details • Proper information

16. Opportunities • Sense of achievement & Sustainability • Opportunities as resource person • Implement Govt .projects directly • Mobilizing of resources by contacting various institutions • Demands would be – faster • Platform to demand policy change

17. Threat • Political interference • Govt. programs available only for selected schools • Deviation from main goal • Members – reduce after some time • Fight for individual recognition • Opposition for teacher association • Possibility of becoming platform to demand programs & does not look at issues