2010 -2014

2010 -2014

2010 -2014

“Pallisree Study Center”

at Sagar Island

Facilitated by

Paribesh Unnayan

Parishad

An Integrated Study Center for the children of Coastal Community at Sagar

Island, S. 24 Parganas

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Introduction

Her dreamy eyes always search for a morning, where she is flying with other children in open air to

searching her creativity! But every morning, when she wakes up, her dream wipes out within a

second. Rakhi was not able to fulfill her dream as she has to help her mother in domestic work!

It’s not a story of Rakhi, It is the story of Hasi, Soumyadip, Khusi, Namita, Sudipto, Shefali, Suchitra

…. a group of children of village Phulbari, Muriganga-1 GP in Sagar Island. They have a lot of capacity

to prove themselves in front of the Society. But

they want a platform, where they enhance their

skills and fly in open air. But they need someone

who lends hand to help them to make it

happen…

In October, 2010 Paribesh Unnayan Parishad

initiated a study center for the children of the

villages Phulbari and Kashtala with voluntary

help of Miss Anima Das, a local teen-aged girl with only 12 students. Gradually, the number of

students increases and the diversity of activities in the centre with integrated approach attracts the

attention of others.

Background of the Study Centre

In October, 2010 Paribesh Unnayan Parishad took the initiative to start a study center for the

children of the villages Phulbari and Kashtala to provide educational support to the poor &

educationally backward students of the area. It has been seen that reading comprehension of children

remains very poor even in grades 5 and 6. And this affects their writing skills as well as the ability to

comprehend other subjects. Initial support was received from Prof. Sunil Raichowdhurii, Ex-Principal,

Presidency College in memory of his wife Smt. Sulekha Raichowdhurii. Later, support from other sources was

also received.

Education is the foundation and building block for achieving national objectives for building a more inclusive,

equitable and sustainable society. Education is a unique present investment for future. Improving the basic

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education along with relevant skills of life and livelihood in rural areas may be considered as the first step for

rural development.

Objectives of the Study Center:

Language competency is central to learning. Independent fluent reading skill is essential for comprehension.

And it is only through comprehension that a child acquires analytical abilities for decision making and

application. It has been seen that reading comprehension of children remains poor even in grades 5 and 6.

And this affects their writing skills as well as the ability to comprehend other subjects.

Hence, the key focus of the Study centre is to promote reading competency so that,

• Language skills don't become a barrier in learning other subjects including mathematics

• Each child becomes a self-learner

• Each child reads fluently and accurately, in-turn promoting self confidence

We focus on three basic reading competencies:

• Accuracy: Reading with correct pronunciation and proper intonation

• Fluency: Reading at least 120 words per minute comfortably

• Comprehension: Understanding the content read with the ability to summarise and

express it in own language.

This will also be followed by promoting writing competencies.

The other objectives of the project are:

Preparing out of school vulnerable children (specially girls in the age group 6 -16 yrs) for induction

into formal school;

Ensuring retention of most vulnerable children (in the age group 6 -16 yrs) in formal schooling

system.

Generate awareness among parents and community so that 75% of children (both boys and girls aged

6-16yrs) are enrolled in primary and secondary schools.

Create consciousness among parents and community to help them adopt positive child care practices

(timely and adequate immunization and proper nutritional care practices).

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Strengthening educational programme in existing schools by organizing health & hygiene education,

value education, environmental education, vocational training, socialization programmes, etc.

In addition, we intend to:

Explore & enhance the creative side of the children

Search those talents, to provide support

Help the children to progress for the formal education

Form PEER groups, who will protect and conserve the biodiversity at their local area

especially at Sagar Island

Arrange necessary sports & games suitable for the ages

Aware the children on their basic rights and entitlements

Identify the dropouts and mainstreaming them in education.

Present Scenario:

Government reports indicate that 59 million children between 6-14 years do not attend school. The

Right to Education Act 2009, emphasis on the free and compulsory education between 6-14 years of

children and defines ‘free’ as removal of any financial barrier by the state that prevents a child from

completing eight years of schooling. So basic motto of the study center is to provide quality

education to build the base of these children

and also promote the free and compulsory

education for the children aged between 6-

14 Years.

On the other hand, the study center promoted the

basic rights, which the children entitled for. These

are:

1. Right to know

2. Right to Survive

3. Right to Participate

4. Right to Develop

5. Right to Protect

6. Right to enjoy

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Presently, 67 children are enrolled in the study center (As per record, June, 2013).

Total Children (Male: female)

Total Children Male Female

67 29 38

Breakup of the female students as per class

Total

Up to Class VII

VIII onwords

38 29 9

Ratio of the Gender

Male

Female

Breakup of the female students as per class:

Up to Class VII

VIII on words

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Breakup of the Male students as per class

Total Up to Class VII VIII on words

29 27 2

Student’s enrollment as per year

Year Students in study center

2010 (Started on 19th October)

12

2011 32 2012 40 2013 (up to June) 67

Student ratio as per year

Breakup of the Male students as per class:

Up to Class VII

VIII on words

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Students ratio

2010 (Started on 19th October)

2011

2012

2013 (Upto june)

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Present activities of the study center:

In the center the children get a place for studying and they are taught lessons informally. Again the

creative and aesthetic parts of the children are explored by teaching them dance, drawing, music.

The children get an amusement or entertainment by various indoor games like carom, ludo etc.

Besides children are provided support of their formal education. Four teachers were appointed for

the subjects support especially on English, Mathematics and sciences. The study center open from

6.30 AM to 9.30 Am in morning.

Various activities:

Drawing class

Dance class Focus on dance drama

Drama class

Singing class

Biodiversity conservation

Nature work

Playing games for physical and mental growth

Attending visitor (Rural Tourists)

Participation in National Children Sci. Congress

Mrs. Staffan from Sweden Learning sustainable agriculture (Kitchen garden) (Anima & Saheba)

Chairman, W.B. Biodiversity Board Natn. Children Sci. Congress Kitchen Garden

(Butterfly Garden, Study Centre) (organic manuring)

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C

Celebration some of special days in Study Center:

“Pallisree Study center” observed some special

days in study center to motivate the children too

proud for our nation, culture, biodiversity, nature,

uniqueness in India.

Celebration list:

1. Green School programme: Dr Dipali Ray,

the Chief Patron of the Study Centre

receiving the memento.

Pallysree Study Center

(SAGAR ISLAND)

Drawing class

Biodiversity

conservation

Nature work

Dance class

Focus on dance

drama

Playing games

for physical and

mental growth

Drama class

Singing class

Support for

formal Education

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2. Republic day (26th January) – 26th January is a day on which every Indian heart fills up with

patriotic fervor and immense love for motherland. Republic Day is celebrated every year

with students of study center to feel the essence of this day.

3. Independence day (15th august)- Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 in study

center to commemorate the day India became an independent nation and feel the spirit of

journey as a Independent country.

4. Birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12th January) - Swami Vivekananda is a biggest inspiration

for the youths. PUPA celebrated his birthday to inspire the children t reach a destiny with the

inspiration of Swami Vivekananda.

5. Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (23rd January)- “Respected Leader”, was one of the

most prominent Indian nationalist leaders who attempted to gain India's independence from

British rule. The students are celebrated this day to

tribute his journey.

6. 25 se baisakh (Birthday of Rabindranath tagore)- to

celebrate the cultural diversity of Bengali literature

and a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore. The students

perform the one of dance Drama of Rabindranath

Tagore in every year to tribute this day.

7. ‘Rakhi bandhan’ Utasv -Relationships are the essence of any festivity and it holds true for

any Indian festival. Raksha Bandhan is a celebration

of one such relation - that of a brother and a sister. It

is celebrated to the study center to essence the feel

of love, care and relation.

8. Basanta Utsav (the festival of color) - In spite of

being such a colorful festival, there are various

aspects of Basanta Utsav which makes it so

significant for our lives. The students are celebrated

this day with lot of joy and happiness.

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9. Birthday of Gandhi (2nd October) – celebrate

to commemorate his way of life and thinking.

10. World environment day (5th June)- World

Environment Day ('WED') is celebrated in study

center every year on 5 June to raise awareness

of the need to take positive environmental

action to protect our nature and biodiversity.

11. Earth Day- Observed regularly on 22 April

12. Biodiversity Education: Field studies with

experts

13. Participation in National Children Sci.

Congress (2011)

14. Merry Christmas – To celebrate love and care for every people in society.

15. Vijoya Sammilani- After Durga Puja, the students celebrate the Bijoya Sammilani to feel our

culture and diversity.

16. Cultural Programme: Dance /drama: Chitrangada

Recent Cultural Programme: The day came out! ‘25se baishak’, (Celebration of birthday of

Rabindranath Tagore) a festival was instilling

pride and imagination in this festive environment

where they were sharing and showing their

capacity to the society. They created a new

history in their village as they played dance

drama “Chitrangada” under the guidance of Ms

Ananya Choudhury, Project Coordinator, SC

Project. The villagers showed such a programme,

where they discovered their children with an

innovative talent.“Pallisree Study center” mobilized the village children and empowered them on

their rights enjoy by focusing their talents.

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Some special cases

PUPA is highlighting some cases which are big inspiration for the other students of “Pallsree Study

Center”. In those cases, we observed the mental growth of the student in this study center. The

basic indicators to measure the mental growth of the students are:

Growth of Formal education

Math

English

Science

Literature

Social science

Co-curricular activities

Dance

Singing

Drama

Biodiversity conservation

Drawing

Playing games etc

Maintain the discipline and timeliness of study center

Cleanness, Appearance, Self confidence and politeness.

Leadership quality, observation and speaking power.

Some case studies showing progress

Name Of the Student

Year

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Poor (1)

Average (2)

Good (3)

Very Good (4)

Poor (1)

Average (2)

Good (3)

Very Good (4)

Poor (1)

Average (2)

Good (3)

Very Good (4)

1) Hasi Patra

2) Suchitra Patra

3) Namita Pradhan

4) Shefali Pradhan

5) Soumyadip Bera

6) Khusi Patra

Mentors

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Poor – 1, Average- 2, Good -3, Very good - 4

Achievements:

1. Sri N.S.Misra, a student of the study Centre (Class VII), participated in the National

Children Science Congress held at Jaipur, Rajasthan with an innovative Project on

maintaining natural fertility of soil with Jeebamrutha in the year 2011.

2. Miss Anima Das, the Teacher of the Study Centre was offered best presentation Award (

amongst 25 others) in the Bangla Bignan Congress ( 2012).

3. Miss Hasi Patra, an SC student, participated in the ‘Young Leaders for Change’

programme of Paryavaran Mitra project of Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt.

of India, facilitated by CEE, held at Ahmedabad, Gujrat, during 23 – 26 July,13, along

with Anima Das (Guide Teacher) & Dr A.Misra (Paryavaran Sathi), Secretay, PUPA.

Hasi declared as one of the four National leaders (Young Leaders for Change’) in

2014.

Future Plan

Expand the study center for the students (4-6 yr.).

Start a computer class for the students

Start a library for the students.

Start some scholarship for the growing & talented students.

Engaged the students with various programme outside of

the Island

Model Study Centre (under Model Village)

Model Village (Concept)

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Acknowledgement:

1. Dr. Dipali Roy, ( Wife of Late PK Roy),

2. Dr. Aparna Rai Chowdhurii (Daughter of late Professor Sunil Rai Chowdhurii and late Sulekha Rai Choudhurii)

3. Mr. P.S. Sodhi

4. Dr. Santanu Mitra, Vice President, PUPA and Mrs. Prathama Ray, Member

5. Dr. Pragati Bhowmik , Patron

6. Dr. Sangita Mitra,WWF

7. Dr. Santanu Mitra, vice President,PUPA

8. Dr. Rina Chakraborty, Vice President , PUPA

9. Sri S.K.Chanda, President, PUPA

10. Anima Das, Teacher

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1 2 3

4 5 6

7 88

98

10 11 12

13 14

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Legends of the Photographs

1. Celebration of World Environment Day

2. Climate Champions of British Council Visited Vermicompost Unit

3. “Observation of Earth hour “ (WWF)

4. Cycle Rally on Earth Day (2011)

5. Inauguration of Solar Charging Station in the Study center

( Supported by Rotary Club of Calcutta Mid City

6. Measuring the wastage of water by the students of study center.

7 & 8. Students are working in the kitchen garden.

9. Biodiversity Conservation Park (Along with DR. A.K. Sanyal,

Chairman of Biodiversity Board, WB)

10. Visit to Alipur Zoo, Kolkata

11. Visit to Science city, Kolkata

12. Sunhemp and Dhaincha (Fertilizer tree) grown in the kitchen

garden.

13. Tailoring training

14. Children in the kitchen garden.