EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

From End Of Poverty

5. Infrastructure for EDUCATIONAL Institutions:

While ASSIST intends to set up non-residential centres so that it is easier to put them into mainstream eventually, the velocity of the problem in this region is quite different. While non-residential centres are feasible in the villages, it is extremely difficult to run non-residential centres in the squatters. Any amount of support for children’s education in these squatters will be mere waste. Since the environment in these squatters is most hazardous, it is not advisable to start the centres in this unhealthy atmosphere. Accordingly, the only solution is residential complex for the children living in the squatters. Hence, residential centres in a rural life style will be developed adjacent to their working place in a good environment to promote these working children into the mainstream.

This activity is designed to improve the existing school infrastructure in the proposed project villages. It is clearly observed that the existing infrastructure facilities in the villages are inadequate and not meeting the needs of the children attending to the schools. The problems identified in the villages are lack of educational material, material and equipment, congested rooms, lack of sitting benches for the children, table and chairs for the teachers and no facility of sanitation etc. These are some of the problems contributing for dropping the children from the schools. Much more than this, the existing school infrastructure is not creating friendly atmosphere to the children and parents as well. Hence, the efforts will be to make these schools environmental friendly to the stakeholders. Extracts from the completion report of one of the projects recently executed in Tsunami affected villages of Prakasam and Krishna Districts with the support of DESWOS, Germany, is given as Annex 2 to share ASSIST experience.