Promoting Rural Education

The Sarva Shiksa Abhiyan initiative by the Govt. of India is aimed at ensuring that every child in India has access to education by the year 2010. While enrollment is high, the quality of education must also improve. The status of rural education is summarized in this survey conducted by Pratham.

Chetana is working in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras to encourage the use of the computer as a medium of instruction.

• Xstd pass is required to qualify for many jobs. Most students fail in English and Math.
• Web-based content with interactive learning sessions.
• A Spoken English module. Bi-lingual content and voice overs in other subjects.

• Conducted in 6 village internet kiosks.
• Chetana sponsored the tution fees (Rs. 30 per child per month) for about 150 children.
• 2005 board exam - 80% pass percentage in kiosks (14% increase over 2004 results)

• Expansion of the rural scholarship scheme.
• Mentorship program to promote the Online Education Initiative in other villages.