EDUCATION
"Manish studies in the English Medium Program at Chetna Highschool."One such institution is Chetna Highschool and Hostel, a private residential school solely for underprivildged tribal students which has been supported by API for over twelve years. Started in 1992 as a school for fifty children, the hostel has seen a tenfold increase in the number of students since its foundation with an additional 200 day scholars studying at the highschool.
In 1999 the English Medium program was introduced, which teaches students in English rather than the official language Hindi. Higher academic studies in India are offered in English, and therefore students who learn this language from an early age onwards do have a benefit over others.
In the case of Jhabua district this is particularly important since all Indian colleges have a quota for tribal students which allow them to become teachers, doctors, lawyers and engineers who may one day help the Jhabua population in their respective fields.
The older students of Chetna School, which teaches children from Kindergarten to 10th class, also benefited from the Rotary Munich International Club's generosity when it donated a yellow school bus, which carries them to the town for higher studies and thus permits them to remain in the hostel in Gadwada village. The bus also serves the hostel by transporting the tons of rice and wheat which are consumed every month. The students are proud of their new bus and enjoy themselves when it takes them on excursions."
PLANNED INTERVENTIONS:
"The girl students of Chetna Hostel with one of the staff at the center."Furthermore, there is an increased demand for adult education. Since illiterate farmers in the villages have shown great interest in receiving basic formal education, BHILS has started night schools in 20 villages and plans to open many more in the entire district. These night schools permit the attendants to do farming during the day and meet in the evenings to study from elementary school books under the guidance of a teacher. Their goal is to pass the Government's fifth standard exams, which to them signifies emancipation. Under the light of gas lamps, which will be exchanged for solar lamps soon, these gatherings are a great means to teach these individuals about the importance of girls' education, health and hygiene, and eco-friendly farming.