In order to sensitize children right from the start Jan
Chetna Sansthan conducts student mobilization with the intention
to sentient students about Tribal Self Rule and Panchayati Raj Extension
for Schedule Areas (PESA). They are also motivated to go to the
children activity centers (libraries) in their respective villages.
They are told about the history of tribals as to how tribal leadership
emerged and fought for their rights.
Village Activity Center:
The idea behind these centers (libraries)
is to link the child with books right from their childhood. This
will enable them to know about new things and enhance their knowledge.
It will also make the child inquisitive about the surroundings and
the development therein. As of now the libraries are successfully
functioning in 15 villages. These libraries are a great help to
the dropout children as it enables them to read and write even if
they have discontinued their study. Lately we have provided every
library with games material so that children have greater reason
to go to the library. We now call it as Village Activity Center.
Bal Mela:
In Bal mela children play different games and eat lots
of sweets. They are given games material and playing items. Quizzes
are organized for children and they participated very actively.
Children were told stories about freedom fighters that how they
fought for our country and sacrificed their lives.
Curriculum Building Workshop:
It was found that
the present curriculum of primary school does not deal with tribal
culture and their history. Children are unaware about their rich
cultural heritage. This is vital when we talk about Tribal Self
Rule and PESA Act. One-day curriculum building workshop was held
in Astha, Udaipur. Various academicians, professors, and scholars
specializing in tribal culture from Tribal Research Institute and
University were present apart from the tribal teachers and voluntary
organizations’ members. This workshop was a step towards developing
a curriculum for the tribal children highlighting tribal history,
their culture, tradition & customs and stories of tribal heroes.
Everyone gave his or her valuable inputs that were seriously considered.
It was decided in this meeting that the curriculum developed by
Bodh Sansthan, Eklavya and Dusra Dashak will be studied and they
will meet again in coming year with their feedbacks. Once the curriculum
is developed it will be implemented in schools with the help of
SSA and other non-formal educational initiative.