Why be in the 'education' space?

The challenges faced by the education sector, especially in remote, rural areas include high dropout rates, low quality of teaching, underperformance by schools, and inability of the education sector to supply skilled manpower with adequate competence to keep pace with the rapidly growing economy of India.

Why schools?

Primary and secondary schools represent the largest structured network responsible for delivering curriculum-based education in India. Understandably, the resources that are invested in schools are also among the highest. Primary and secondary school education, if reoriented and re-tooled, can fuel development at a national and community level.

What are we doing in schools?

We have a two-pronged approach to address the challenges faced by schools in remote areas :

• by facilitating infrastructure improvisation and
• by influencing the quality of teaching and learning.

a) Infrastructural interventions

We support repair work of school buildings, construction of toilets for students/teachers, making provisions for clean drinking water and other amenities that can make learning a comfortable and enjoyable experience for village children.

b) Interventions to improve quality of education and learning

Our support in this arena has a wider scope. It includes activities such as:

• mentoring of teachers,
• training of teachers in pedagogy and subject specific content,
• provision of teaching kits to teachers and students,
• workshops to motivate teachers and students,
• application of Information Technology and multimedia content for enriched learning in classrooms,
• integrating counseling practices in schools,
• teacher reward scheme and
• leadership development initiatives.

A new dimension being added is vocational training to high school students and skill based training for out-of-school youths through local schools.

Where are we working?

• A prime geographical area of interest is the thousands of schools scattered in the remote terrain around national parks and sanctuaries. So far, we have supported schools near the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal), Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan) and Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra). In the near future, we are going to start working with schools around the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra), Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu).
• The Hemendra Kothari Foundation is supporting 21 schools of the Nasik Education Society (NES). Through our partnership with NES, diverse benefits reach nearly 27,000 children and 650 teachers
• Our support has benefitted several NGOs working in the education sector.

Who works with us in schools?

We have built enduring relationships with reputed institutions such as the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, the Indian Institute of Education, the Vigyan Ashram,Aide et Action and the Agastya International Foundation.

WCT's Intervention in the field of Primary Education

WCT -HKF is supporting 153 government schools situated in the buffer zones of Bandipur, Ranthambhore, Pench (Mah.& MP.), Tadoba-Andhari and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves for improving the quality of teaching and basic infrastructure.