GRAM PRABODHINI
A SCHOOL FOR THE COMMUNITY
With a view to bringing about transformation not only in the students but in the whole community around hte school, Gram Prabodhini a school for the rural area - was founded at village Salumbre in 1991
Years Before........
Situated at a distance of around 40 Km to the west of Pune city, Salumbre is one of the ten villages which form a cluster in Maval taluka of Pune district. Though located within a distance of only ten km from Pune-Mumbai highway, these villages were miles away from development. In spite of perennial waters of river Pavna, agriculture was poorly developed. In spite of large population of around twenty thousand, no facilty for secondary education was available. As a result, there was exodus from the area to nearby towns and cities.
The challenge was taken up by Jnana Prabodhini & financial assistance was made available by Rotary Club of Pune North for an initial period of five years under 3-H Program of Rotary International. A separate trust Viz. Gram Prabodhini was formed for the purpose. The villagers on their part made available a piece of land admeasuring four hectors for the school.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Today Gram Prabodhin runs a secondary school from standard V to X, recognized b Government of Maharashtra. Emphasis on basic study skills, learning through project method and application of learning are some of the distinguishing characteristics of education at Gram Prabodhini. The school has proved to be a ray of hope especially to girl students in the area, who were deprived of secondary education opportunities previously. To develop basic self-study skills ‘Reading and Writing’ project is under which every student is encouraged to read about 150 books per year. Personality Development Camps give opportunity to students in respect of elocution, dramatics, swimming, cooking and so on.
During the period so far, around 140 girls and 220 boys successfully completed their education up to SSC. Around 20 students pursued their studies up to post graduation. About the same number completed technical courses like ITI after passing SSC. Around 125 students opted for vocational courses of short duration after SSC.
Gram Prabodhini offers a unique opportunity to local children to stay in their own villages, receive quality education and most importantly learn skills that are necessary to their life and to development of the community.
AGRICULTURE-MAIN FOCUS
Along with other academic subjects, Agriculture, Technical Education, Dairy Development also form a part of curriculum. Visits are arranged to model agricultural projects poultry farms and industrial units. In order to develop insight into proper dairy development practices, students are asked to adopt a cow from their cattle and apply their knowledge to its rearing. The Institution has been running a training project in integrated self-sufficient agriculture in cooperation with Department of Bio-technology since 2004
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Gram Prabodhin runs vocational courses in electrical wiring, motor rewinding, welding, computer operation and so on for students, who are unable to pass their SSC exam. Around 125 students, who completed these courses, are engaged in various industries or their own workshops.
For technical education Gram-Prabodhini has made a tie-up with the well-known institution ‘Vidhyanashram’ started by late Dr. S. S. Kalbag at Pabal in Khed Taluka of Pune District. Under this programme emphasis is given on appropriate and low cost technology in various areas such as food preservation, agricultural practices, health and sanitation.
Application of technology without development of business acumen may result in unsuccessful ventures. Keeping this in mind students are given guidance about costs involved and the benefits derived from any business activity. They apply this knowledge to the activities like growing and selling of vegetables, fodder. Sale of Rakhis, and sale of fire crackers help students acquire marketing skills and become self-reliant.
Along with academics, physical development also is one of key areas of the whole programme. Students learn various sports activities like team events, wrestling, athletics. They have have shown a commendable performance up to district level.
GURUKUL PROJECT
GURUKUL project is one of the prestigious projects of the Institution. The project caters to the development of delinquent students all over from Maharashtra and also other states Students with undesirable traits such as arrogance, disobedience, stealing, habits are admitted to this residential project. Variety of methods are adopted to help these students get rid of their negative behavior.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
In order to make Gram Prabodhini really a community, school teachers and students of the school participate in various activities such as sanitation, literacy classes, repairs of approach roads, guidance to unemployed youth from the area.
Cultural programmes like Bhajans and Kirtans are arranged in every village.
Teachers of Gram Prabodhini don’t restrict their activities to their school only. They extend their guidance to teachers and students of primary schools in the area. A visit of head masters of 22 secondary schools in Maval Taluka was organized to Gram Prabodhini. They appreciated the innovative ideas and programmes adopted by the School and expressed desire to replicate them.
‘River Pavna Festival’ is one of the novel programmes with is organized every year. Students and villagers together worship the river and resolve to protect it from pollution. Drawing inspiration from this activity on institution in Holland viz. Bothund has started a similar programme at river ‘Ishujili.
One of the special features of Gram Prabodhini as a community school is ‘Farmers’ Internet Circle.’ The farmers get an easy access to modern developments in agriculture and share their experience through the Internet Circle. This activity is proposed to be extended to all the villages in the area in near future.
What has been achieved during the last 12 years is very small as compared to the dreams ahead. However, the process has begun, direction has been found and with the direct and indirect help of known and unknown sympathizers the ultimate goal would be achieved.
In the near future Gram Prabodhini has plans to…..
- Start a state of art Gymnasium
- Construct a school building with 10 rooms
- Erect a Computer Laboratory and
- Launch a Technical section with well-equipped workshops. You could contribute to this noble cause by
- Giving a cash donation
- Appealing to your friends to extend their helping hands.
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