PRAYAS INTEGRATED SCHOOL - SANGANER

Prayas has dedicated itself to the service of the especially able, orphans and the deprived

sections of the community for the past 13 years. There has been a continuous effort to

help such members of our community to achieve self reliance and confidence in their

ability to be full and active contributors to our society. Prayas has associated itself with

various institutions in order to achieve this goal. The following is a summary of our

activities and achievements within the community associated with our school in

Sanganer. The inclusive school is situated in Sanganer, a predominantly minority region

spread over an area of one kilometer.

A maximum of the community’s population depends on a daily wage income. There is no

permanent source of income. Nevertheless, their enthusiasm towards education is

noteworthy. The Integrated School in Sanganer started in the year 2006 with 52 normal

and special children. The number of students increased in a short span to amount to 93

enrolled students in the 2009-2010 session.

S.No. Class

Normal Children Slow Learners Total no.of Students

Boys Girls Boys Girls

1 Nursery 1 2 4 11 11 28

2 Nursery2 2 2 4 5 13

2 Prep 1 4 2 3 10

3 First 5 1 4 4 14

4 Second 5 2 2 6 15

5 Fifth 2 1 3 2 8

Special Class 4 1 5

Total 93

A break-up of the students enrolled at Prayas Integrated School – Sanganer

The special children trained to undertake the activities of daily life. Today, they can dress

themselves, identify colours, alphabets and objects in the surrounding places. Above all,

it is gratifying to note that today; these children are capable of writing their names on

their own.

The normal children of this school have shown remarkable academic progress,

considering the fact that majority of these children are first generation learners.

This shows the pace of learning that these children are capable of. Students, who used to

run away from the class, today regularly attend school and all classes and enjoy

themselves, being a art of the learning process and education system. Students were given

sweaters and jerseys this year. Every Saturday, the students are given snacks or sweets.

There has been a positive behavioral change noted in past years.

Teaching through Teaching Learning Material (TLM)

Many children come for admission but due to insufficient space, it is not possible to give

admissions to all. It is very painful and heartbreaking to say no to the parents. After a

long struggle, we now have a new school building. We shifted to the new building in Jan.

2010, where proper space and ventilation are available for the children. This building can

also house more students and therefore the rejection rate due to lack of space is expected

to reduce by a good proportion. There is still a long queue and we will be enrolling more

children into our school.

HOME BASED PROGRAMMES

The children covered under the Home Based Programmes too have been making steady

progress. Currently, we have forty children under this programme, of which two are in

Sanganer. Children who are unable to attend the schools because of their profound

disability are given doorstep services under this programme. A multi-purpose

rehabilitation worker and special educator regularly visits their homes.

Physiotherapist giving therapy at Home base

The other activities incidental to the objective of providing quality education undertaken

during the reporting period are as follows:

CELEBRATION OF FESTIVALS

Many Indian festivals were celebrated at the school. These included Raksha Bandhan,

Janmashtami, Independence Day, Teachers’ Day, Eid, Vijay Dashmi and more. The main

reason behind the celebration is to develop an understanding and importance of festivals

in the Indian culture among the children.

Prayas celebrated its 13th Birthday. All the children from the three schools were

assembled at the Jhalana campus. The day was full of fun and frolic and children

presented some beautiful songs to mark the occasion.

On 5th

August 2009, the students celebrated Rakhi. The girls tied Rakhis and sweets

were distributed to the children.

On 14th

August 2009, the students celebrated Janmashtami. It was a real treat for the

eyes to see children dressed colourfully as Radha and Krishna. The children of Prayas

presented a small skit on the birth of Krishna, his life and preaching. This was followed

by the distribution of prasad.

On 15th

August 2009, the children celebrated Independence Day. A drawing

competition was organized for primary students while an essay competition was

organized for students of classes 6 and 7, the topic being the event’s namesake. After the

flag hoisting ceremony, a collection of songs and dance were presented by the children.

Sweets were then given to all the children.

On 5th

Sept. 2009, students celebrated Teachers’ Day. Students become teacher for one

day to feel and understand the roles and responsibilities of the teachers. Students took to

their responsibilities with much enthusiasm, enjoying every moment of being given the

chance to walk in the shoes of their instructors.

On 19th

Sept. 2009, children celebrated Eid, soon followed by the celebrations on 26th

Sept. 2009 in view of Vijay Dashmi.

On 15th

Oct. 2010, Deepawali was celebrated by the children and the school was lit up

with their bright spirits.

On 14 Nov. 2010, Childrens’ Day was celebrated with much fervor. Mesmerizing

dances, role plays and songs were performed by the children. Candies were distributed

to all children at the conclusion of the celebration.

Dances and poems were presented by the special children on 3 Dec. 2010 to mark the

World Disability Day.

On 25 Dec. 2010, Christmas celebrations brought about the same festive spirits seen

earlier in the academic session. A student from class five dressed up as Santa Clause and

distributed candies to all.

On 14th

Jan. 2010, the Kite Festival was celebrated by the children. Students flew kites

under their teachers’ supervision and filled the sky with beautiful kites that dances about

with the expert-like maneuvering of the strings.

To mark the Republic Day on 26 Jan. 2010, patriotic songs and poems and traditional

dances filled the school with the Indian spirit and national pride. As the day drew to its

end, sweets were distributed to all. Community Members also attended the Republic Day

Celebration.

It is noteworthy that in all festive celebrations, there was equal participation from all the

children. Children from the minority community also participated with equal interest

during the Rakhi, Janmastami and Vijay Dashmi celebrations. These celebrations have

become a means of spreading unity and communal harmony in the society as a whole.

PROGRAMMES OPERATIONAL IN SANGANER

The community programmes currently running are in the areas of health education and

work done in children’s homes.

Pregnant Women - To avoid disabilities and to identify children with disabilities, regular

surveys are held in the community and pregnant women and regular follow-up is done for

the proper care of the pregnant women and new born child. During the session, 18

pregnant women were identified out of which 4 women delivered 2 boys and 2 girls.

Sadly, one girl passed away after eight days of birth.

COMMUNITY WELFARE WORK

After school hours, teachers visit the community to generate awareness through role

plays, counseling and community meetings on social issues such as Education (with

special emphasis on education for the female child), Family Planning, Health and

Sanitation, Widow and Disability pension among community members.

They are taught to be on the look-out for dangerous diseases such as TB and viral fever

and are advised on the importance of seeking medical help in a timely fashion. As a

result, many more people attend regular health check-ups and the Prayas team has gained

the respect and confidence of the community. We are also working to obtain an electrical

connection with regular electrical supply.

ACHIEVEMENT

The work and efforts of the Prayas team have resulted in a tangible shift of thinking and

attitude within this community towards health, education and vocational training. Now,

even housewives are aware of the benefits of education and vocational training. Indeed

parents are illiterate; however, they keep tabs on their ward’s progress in school. The

most important development has been the raising of awareness concerning their human

and statutory rights, helping them to achieve a level of independence and dignity that we

at Prayas intend to further nurture and support.