Year 2: 2012-2013 - Isha Outreach

GOVERNMENT SCHOOL ADOPTION PROGRAM
IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND DELIVERY OF EDUCATION IN RURAL AREAS
ANNUAL REVIEW, YEAR TWO: JUNE 2012 - MAY 2013
● ● ●
OUR VISION
To create empowered, rejuvenated, inclusive future generations that have the
ability to handle their own immediate needs, the possibility to explore their
ultimate potential, and the responsibility to contribute to a greater nation.

GSAP ACHIEVEMENTS
Since the launch of our program in 2011, GSAP has introduced better quality
education to 28,843 students in 31 rural schools through the following
interventions:
Decreased classroom sizes: Achieved a 40:1 student to teacher ratio (down from 70:1)
by employing up to 176 new teachers. This improved teacher-student relationships,
creating better learning opportunities for students.
Created remedial classes for slow-learners: Out of 11,797 6 th to 9 th grade students,
4,878 were identified as “slow-learners” (lacking even 2 nd Standard skills). Of that, 71%
were successfully mainstreamed back to their regular class (upon achieving up to 5 th
Standard skills) and a few have become class rank-holders. In the second year, 1,275 out
of 2,567 students were
mainstreamed.
Introduced Yoga to reduce
academic stress: Yoga programs
have assisted 5,979 10 th to 12 th
Standard students to face state
level exams, by improving their
concentration, clarity and
endurance.
Improved English skills through
better methodology: 4,665 6 th to
7 th Standard students have
improved their English conversation
and pronunciation skills via our
Magic English program which makes learning English more joyful and simpler.
Taught hands-on environmental responsibility: 26,000 tree saplings have been
planted by 6 th to 9 th Standard students through our „GreenSchools‟ program.
Offered career counseling: Guided 5,631 10 th to 12 th Standard students in making
their future plans. Most students were clueless of their career options; guidance
programs have helped them understand how their skills can translate into future
opportunities.
Held summer camps: Gave 340 children the opportunity to expand and express
their arts and crafts skills and gain hands-on environmental education through nature
awareness programs.
P a g e | 2: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Table 1: School interventions June 2012- May 2013
District Coimbatore Dharmapuri Salem
Block
Thondamuthur
Perur
Pennagaram
Nallampalli
Panamarathupati
Total adopted schools 7 7 6 6 5 31
Grand
Total
Total student counts 6105 2894 5890 7275 3679 25,843
Total Isha teachers (Dec '12) 11 22 59 41 16 149
Total contingency staff (Dec '12) 3 5 5 2 3 18
Total remedial students 656 357 570 696 436 2567
Total mainstreamed students 293 182 164 415 221 1275
Total Yoga class beneficiaries:
Students 1208 607 2281 1649 942 6687
Teachers - - 44 49 23 116
Schools 7 6 6 6 5 30
‘Magic English’ Programs:
Teachers trained 33 48 17 88
Student beneficiaries 1145 456 1132 996 936 4665
Health camps, total students:
Screening camp: 103 850 - - - 953
Awareness camp: 164 823 - - - 987
GreenSchools’ Tree Saplings:
Total counts 462 462 396 396 330 2046
Total produced 8080 8550 0 0 0 16,630
Other Programs:
Career Guidance Students 632 4707 292 5631
Summer camp Students 108 85 193 108
P a g e | 3: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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GSAP: YEAR TWO HIGHLIGHTS
NEW SCHOOLS ADOPTED IN SALEM
At the end of the first year of Isha Outreach‟s Government School
Adoption Program (GSAP), a group of community philanthropists
approached us to extend the GSAP model to five rural schools in
Salem, partnering with us to fund the project. Based on this, we
launched our program in four schools in the Panamarathupatti Block
and one in the Valapadi Block – bringing us to a total of 31 schools in
Tamil Nadu by year two. After signing an MOU with the District CEO
to adopt the schools, we recruited a School Coordinator and began
our school needs assessments. These included collecting information
on student counts, available teachers, exam results, drop-out details,
and infrastructure requirements for each school.
OUR GOALS
For the 5-year project period
(2011-2016):
Quantitative:
100% of our students
achieve basic literacy and
numeracy skills in 10 th
Standard
All students pass in their
SSLC exams (10 th
Standard), with 70% of them
achieving a minimum 60%
mark
We achieve a 60%
reduction in student dropout
and absenteeism rates
Qualitative:
Students gain increased
and improved skills in
physical fitness and creative
arts programs
Students are exposed to
hands-on social
responsibility programs
Students are given extra
support and tools to
undergo exams with more
confidence
Table 2: Summary of Schools (Project period: 2011-2016)
Parameter
TOTAL
Coimbatore
District
Dharmapuri
District
Salem
District
(new)
Total Adopted Schools: 31 14 12 5
Total Student Counts: 25,400 8,605 12,880 3,679
6 th - 8 th Standard: 8,040 3104 3455 1481
9 th - 10 th Standard: 9,274 3115 4824 1335
11 th - 12 th Standard: 7,850 2386 4601 863
P a g e | 4: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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INCREASED HUMAN RESOURCES
To manage our new school and student additions, we hired two more School Coordinators:
Mr. Nakkeeran for Perur Block in Coimbatore, and Mr. Subramaniam to oversee the Salem
District schools - bringing us to a total of five Coordinators for the program. We also recruited
new teachers to continue towards our goal to lower classroom sizes. Lowering the student to
teacher ratio (down to 40:1 from 70:1) has improved teacher-student relationships. Teachers
can pay more attention to each child and understand their needs and behavior better. This
contributes to better learning opportunities for students and motivates them to learn more. By
November 2012, we had a total of 151 Isha teachers in the program, however by April 2013
that number was reduced to 112 since the number of remedial students had dropped (more
students had been mainstreamed) and extra Government teachers were employed in some
schools.
Figure 1: Summary of recruited Isha teachers
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
13 14 12
16 15
13
16 14
11 13 13
103 101 97
99 101
93
93 90
73 72 71
29 28 31 27 34 35 31 31 31 31 28
Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
2012 2013
Salem
Dharmapuri
Coimbatore
Figure 2: Summary of other recruits (i.e.: security and cleaning)
25
20
1
3
3
3 3 3
15
10
5
0
13 13 13 13 13 13
3
6
10 11 11 11
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
2012 2013
Salem
Dharmapuri
Coimbatore
P a g e | 5: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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MORE TEACHERS TRAINED FOR REMEDIAL CLASSES
We continued to equip more teachers with the necessary training and tools to conduct better
remedial classes to help slow-learning students grasp Tamil and Maths basics more
effectively.
New remedial class training in ABL methodology
From August to December 2012, we held remedial class training programs in Activity-based
learning (ABL) methodology for 12 new Isha teachers in Salem and 41 in Coimbatore.
ABL teaches through hands-on experiments and activities, addressing the fact that children
are active explorers rather than passive recipients of information. Allowing children to explore
and learn more naturally and joyfully, ABL provides the necessary tools to effectively teach
our Tamil and Maths syllabi.
Refresher remedial class training to establish uniformity
During a field visit, our project staff observed that while current teachers were using the
Activity-based Learning (ABL) cards introduced last year to conduct their remedial classes,
they weren‟t following a set syllabus, or documenting the student‟s progress scientifically, or
setting time-frames to achieve targets. To establish uniformity in these key areas, we
organized several refresher training programs throughout October and November that
covered „Documentation & Reporting‟, „CCE Evaluation‟, and „Remedial Teaching Methods &
Syllabus for Tamil & Maths‟.
During the training sessions, teachers also had the opportunity to raise the main issues their
schools were facing and work together to discuss solutions. A total of 120 teachers went
through the sessions – 33 in Coimbatore, 75 in Dharmapuri and 12 in Salem. The refresher
training helped reinforce uniformity across our 31 schools and is already achieving better
results. teachers are more effective in conducting remedial classes now and are able to
mainstream students quicker than before.
ABL – methodology training in Coimbatore
P a g e | 6: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Maths remedial training using leading global method
In October, 15 new Salem teachers went through a two-day Maths Remedial training
program to learn how to impart the highly effective "Singapore Learning System". The
method places a strong emphasis on problem-solving and model drawing, using the
Concrete Pictorial Abstract (CPA) technique which explains math concepts in cartoon
balloons for students to easily read. The system has become globally popular in the past
decade as Singapore has consistently rated the world-leader in 4 th and 8 th grade
mathematics.
Tamil remedial training to reinforce new syllabus
Tamil remedial class training was held for 15 current teachers in Salem to reinforce how to
teach our new Nedumidal books syllabus which introduces children to basic Tamil words,
letters and paragraphs. Teachers were also taught how to use ABL „Nasan‟ cards to reinforce
learning, and the „Karkum Baratham‟ (Learning India) tool for evaluation, to ensure
consistency amongst each class. The course was taught by Mr. Ranganathan, ADPC of the
RMSA - a government scheme. He suggested that after conducting an internal evaluation of
remedial class students, teachers would organize an NIOS exam whereby students could
receive a national-level certificate for passing their remedial classes. Reporters from
Doordharsan TV channel also covered the training event which was then broadcast in Salem.
Maths Remedial Class Training for Salem Teachers
P a g e | 7: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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No. of students
STUDENT ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND PROGRESS
New remedial class students identified and improved
At the beginning of the term, new 6 th to 9 th standard students lacking basic skills were
identified in all 31 schools and placed in remedial classes. The classes follow an improved
and consistent syllabus, covering 1 st to 5 th Standard subjects, making it easier for students to
learn the basics more effectively. At the end of the term, the students went through an inhouse
evaluation and each one showed an improvement from their initial evaluations. Prior to
the classes, most students lacked 2 nd Standard abilities, however within six months, they
were at 5 th Standard levels. Some that lacked 1 st Standard skills were kept on in remedial
classes beyond six months. In Salem, remedial students also underwent separate quarterly
and half-year exams based on their remedial class syllabus. Overall, 65% of students
improved in Tamil and 54% in Maths – details are displayed in the table below.
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Figure 3: Summary of Remedial Class Students
76
1630
253
250
166
128
Remedial class - student details
74
1391
173
193
269
487
1275
2567
Tamil Alone Maths Alone Both Total
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Mainstreamed
Regular
absentees
Total
Remedial classes in GHSS, Pandahalli
P a g e | 8: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Extra prepping to ensure successful SSLC exams
One of our program goals is to ensure all students pass their „Secondary School Leaving
Certificate‟ (SSLC) exams, held in the 10 th standard. These exams are a prerequisite to
pursuing post-secondary education, or for getting skilled jobs, and therefore demand an
intense study period.
In order to help students prepare
better, we created extra study tools
covering our five major subjects,
and trained 38 regular Salem school
teachers and all the Isha School
Coordinators on how to best deliver
these materials.
Seven Resource Persons carried
out the training - grouping and
instructing the teachers by subject
expertise.
29 adopted schools received the extra
SSLC study materials and students were
prepared for quarterly exams using these
tools.
The teachers also underwent motivational
training, and by the end of the program,
gave their commitment to work with the
students to ensure each one passes their
SSLC exams. Those who were interested
were also offered free future Isha Kriya
programs to help them better manage their
own stress levels.
Spoken English skills assessed and new program implemented
Early in the year, two officials from Isha Vidhya visited our Dharmapuri schools to assess
basic English-speaking skill levels for our 6 th to 8 th standard students, and suggested a plan
for improvements. Based on the plan, we trained 66 teachers in Dharmapuri and 17 in Salem
in July 2012 to teach the „Karadi Path Magic English‟ program. A month later, 23 existing
teachers were trained in Coimbatore, followed by 10 new teachers trained at the Isha
Outreach Office in October.
To set a benchmark, we also conducted our own baseline English skills‟ assessment in 12
schools in Dharmapuri, five in Salem and seven in Coimbatore, testing five random students
from each 6 th and 7 th Standard class to assess the average English competency of students.
P a g e | 9: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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After our assessments, with the consensus of the District Chief Educational Officers, we
implemented the „Magic English‟ program in all our schools. The program enables language
learning through a process of „language immersion‟. It triggers intuitive learning and
stimulates the „deep motor area‟ of the brain, which is the seat of mother tongue learning.
Each program session consists of three modules – Action Path, Music Path and Story Path,
with the entire program designed across 72 sessions. It helps students grasp a basic
understanding of English (to English-medium level) and improve their conversation and
pronunciation skills, while at the same time making learning more joyful. We have
implemented three sessions per week, per class in all our schools to cover the three
modules. Along with the sessions, we‟ve distributed Karadi Path and Magic English program
materials to each of our 31 schools, along with portable CD Players and USB speakers to
eight schools in Coimbatore.
Mrs. Kalaivani, a representative of the „Magic English‟ program, was assigned to monitor and
support the program in our schools, and assist teachers to improve their performance. The
take-away for teachers was that they needed to prepare better before each class, as well as
improve their presentation and class management skills.
Table 3: Details of students benefitted Magic English Class
District # of Schools Boys Girls Total
Coimbatore 8 806 795 1601
Dharmapuri 12 1046 1082 2128
Salem 5 468 468 936
Grand Total 25 2320 2345 4665
‘Magic English’ Class
P a g e | 10: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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STUDENT HEALTH & WELL-BEING PROGRAMS
Powerful Isha programs offered to manage academic stress
Based on the positive feedback we received from students and teachers after undergoing our
yoga and meditation sessions in the first year, the programs were included in our quarterly
plan and carried out again in the second year. Yoga helps students increase their
concentration, memory-power, clarity, focus and endurance, and contributes to a healthier
lifestyle. Teachers report that after yoga programs, students seem calmer, quieter and more
attentive. Overall, the programs offer students and teachers powerful daily techniques to
cope with SSLC exam stress.
Student Programs
At the beginning of the year, all 10 th and 12 th Standard students underwent three-day Isha
Yoga programs in 12 adopted schools in Dharmapuri, 13 in Coimbatore and five in
Salem. In addition, we scheduled time for all 10 th Standard students to do their daily
practices during school hours, to help them as they prepare for public exams. The idea
was presented and approved by School Headmasters and the CEO, and will be
implemented in the next academic year. Other students in lower standards, who had the
availability, were also given the opportunity to undergo Isha Yoga and Isha Kriya
programs at the beginning of the year.
Teacher Programs
A total of 82 Isha teachers and 64 regular teachers from our three school districts
underwent one-day Yoga classes, learning various asanas and Isha Kriya – a powerful
yet simple meditation technique. These will equip them with daily practices that will help
them with stress management and overall well-being.
P a g e | 11: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Isha programs extended to other district schools
We also conducted Isha Yoga and Isha Kriya programs in another 11 government schools in
Vizhuppuram, and Isha Kriya programs in six schools in the Cuddalore District, based on an
invitation from Ms. Latha – Joint Director of the Department of School Education. 2,044
Students participated in three-day sessions and 29 teachers went through a one-day session
in December.
Table 4: Summary of Isha Yoga & Kriya Programs
Parameter Total Coimbatore Dharmapuri Salem Vizhuppuram Cuddalore
Total Schools reached 47 13 12 5 11 6
Total Students
3 day Yoga 6,651 1,473 3,930 942 306 -
Isha Kriya 2,309 - 571 - 1,043 695
Total Govt. Teachers - Yoga 64 - 25 10 29 -
Total Isha Teachers - Yoga 82 - 69 13 - -
Total Teachers – Isha Kriya 8 8 - - - -
Football and Yoga training for Teachers
In November, we held a week-long Football and Yoga Training Program for 33 teachers at
the Isha Yoga Center grounds. After the program, 14 teachers registered to be trained further
to conduct Yoga Programs for students in their respective schools.
P a g e | 12: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Student healthcare programs and camps
As part of their 10 th year anniversary celebration, Isha‟s Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR)
program conducted student health and hygiene camps in four Coimbatore schools, reaching
987 students and 32 teachers.
On November 17 th and 18 th , approximately 150 students from our Semmedu, Thondamuthur
and Narasipuram schools were screened and treated at Isha Outreach‟s "Arogya Alai" mega
camp at Alandurai School. 33 NSS students from Alandurai School volunteered in the multispecialty
camp, which was held in conjunction with Apollo Hospitals.
During the year, we also conducted free camps to identify student blood-types to include in
student records. The Coimbatore camps, sponsored by Isha Yoga Center‟s local welfare
department and conducted by the Isha Rural Health Clinic in Alandurai, reached 685
students from three schools. In Salem, 150 students went through blood-type identification
camps at the Isha Rural Health Clinic in Kullappanaickanur.
Blood-grouping camps in Coimbatore
P a g e | 13: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Project GreenSchools environmental program training
„Greencorp‟ (environmental club) teacher coordinators and two students from 13 of our
Coimbatore schools participated in a hands-on environmental responsibility program
conducted by „Project GreenHands‟. The program taught students how to develop sapling
nurseries in their schools and each student then received 2000 covers and required seeds to
start new nurseries in their schools. During the year, through the „GreenSchools‟ Program,
we‟ve created tree sapling nurseries in 12 schools in the Coimbatore district, resulting in the
production of 16,630 saplings, which were then distributed to the students and local residents
for plantation in their villages.
Table 5: GreenSchools’ Program Summary
Parameter TOTAL Coimbatore Dharmapuri Salem
Schools with Nurseries 12 12 - -
Saplings produced/ distributed 16,630 16,630 - -
Saplings planted 1,983 924 820 330
Growth of Tree saplings planted in Dharmapuri Schools
P a g e | 14: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Career Guidance programs by Cognizant
At the beginning of 2013, we organized a number of one-day Career Guidance programs for
5,631 10 th and 12 th Standard students from 27 of our adopted schools. These were
conducted, designed and implemented by Cognizant Foundation (CTS) - a leading provider
of IT, consulting and business-process services – through their „Junior Achievement
Program‟.
During the 6-hour workshops, CTS program volunteers helped students identify their future
career potential by exploring their overall goals and objectives. Most students (all 1 st
generation school-goers), were clueless about their future goals and did not know enough
about their career options. The workshops enabled them understand how their skills could
translate into future careers, and gave them an opportunity to interact with professionals,
which inspired them more. Overall, the students were guided in the various educational paths
available to them based on their individual strengths, and each was given a guidebook and a
toll-free phone number which they could call at any time for ongoing support on their career
planning.
The first session in Dharmapuri was significant to CTS as it helped them reach their target of
100,000 students, which they set in 2008. The District Education Officer of Secondary
Education was invited to observe that session, along with volunteers from Isha Higher
Education, who attended the Salem program as well. They gave a speech on "Engineering
as career option" at both sessions. At the end of the Dharmapuri program, the 120 CTS
volunteers planted tree saplings in our school yards, lending their support to our
GreenSchools program.
Table 6: Summary of Career Guidance Workshops
Dharmapuri
(Jan. 19)
Salem
(Jan. 21)
Coimbatore
(Feb. 9)
Total Schools 12 5 10
Total Students 4,707 292 632
P a g e | 15: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Students attend computing conference by Amritha University
In January 2013, 163 students from 14 GSAP schools and 24 students from Isha Vidhya
schools, participated in the annual Vikasa conference. This was organized by Amritha
University in Coimbatore, as a sub-conference of Amrita‟s International Conference of
Women in Computing. Students won prizes in computing skill competitions and took part in a
science exhibition, in which our Government High School students from Madampatti won the
Best Exhibit Award for their science model on Bioplast – organic plastics derived from
renewable sources such as starch and vegetable oil.
Students at the Vikasa Conference. Click here for complete photo album
P a g e | 16: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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School celebrations
To mark Independence Day on August 15 th , each of our schools received a special message
from our founder – Sadhguru, along with 66 tree saplings to plant in each school‟s garden.
On Republic Day (January 26 th ), GSAP supported sports events in both our
Gajjalnaickenpatti and Thirumanur schools in Salem, which gave students a chance to be
more physically active, work in teams and win prizes for their efforts.
Republic day celebration in Salem school
Summer camps encourage student creativity and nature awareness
In April and May 2013, GSAP students were invited to attend three-day residential summer
camps held in Salem and Coimbatore. During their stay, students engaged in various
sessions involving activities such as: craft-making, embroidery, chess, yoga, and nature and
snake awareness programs. The highlight for many students was seeing and learning about
the variety of snakes brought in through the Isha Serpent program. We also had some expert
volunteers teach at the camp, such as Government Fine Arts College Lecturer Mr. A.D.
Arulselvan, internationally-rated chess player, Mr. D. Sathish, Isha Crafts artist and volunteer
Mrs. S. Gayathri, and hand-sewing teacher Ms. Sulochana. On the final day, each student‟s
work was put on display to be shared with parents and guests.
In Salem, 85 students (51 girls and 34 boys) attended the program, held at the Government
Higher Secondary School in Mallur from April 21 st to 23 rd . The students were taken to a
nature park and lake in Yercaud for their nature awareness trip. The Coimbatore camp drew
in 108 children (54 of each gender) from April 30 th to May 2 nd at the Isha Vidhya Rural
School. That group was taken to the Horticulture Garden in Kallar to explore and learn about
nature.
P a g e | 17: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Coimbatore Summer camp collage
P a g e | 18: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES
GSAP project awarded grant in ‘Spark the Rise’
On April 5 th , 2013, our „Empower
Generation Next‟ project was
awarded one of two runner-up grants
of 20 lakh Rupees (approximately US
$37,000) in Mahindra‟s „Spark the
Rise’ contest. Started in October
2012, the contest involved two SMS
voting rounds and a jury panel
presentation, competing against
approximately 250 other viable
projects.
„Spark the Rise‟ was a tremendous
learning opportunity for GSAP. Each
step of the contest provided new
tools for us to re-evaluate and re-fine
our project and build our program‟s capacity. A portion of the Mahindra grant funds will allow
us to explore better scalability and sustainability measures for GSAP – to ensure we create a
working model that grows and carries on even after our work ends. Read more about the
contest and activities in our blog.
New corporate donation
In April, based on a proposal initiated from our team, ACC Limited in Coimbatore signed on
to fund GSAP implementation in the Government Higher Secondary School in Maduakkari for
the next five years (2013-2018). This will be used as a pilot project and based on the results,
they will look at expanding their support to other nearby schools under their CSR initiative.
Funds raised at the Chennai Marathon
The United Way of Chennai donated 6.75 lakh
rupees (approx. US $12,735) to our program,
which they raised through the 2012 Chennai
Marathon. The funds were donated to sponsor
academic interventions in two schools in the
Dharmapuri district for the upcoming 2013
year.
GiveIsha online campaign
GSAP started an online fundraising campaign
through the GiveIsha site in July, helping us
raise 17 lakh rupees (approx. US $32,075) for
the program during the year.
P a g e | 19: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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GSAP IN THE MEDIA
ENGLISH COVERAGE
1. “From theory to hands-on”
“The Hindu”, Coimbatore
January 12, 2013
2. “Isha Foundation summer camp in progress”
“The Hindu”, Coimbatore
May 2, 2013
TAMIL COVERAGE
1. “Teacher training for conducting remedial classes”
“Dinakaran”, Salem
November 28, 2012
2. “Isha Outreach adopts 5 schools”
“Kalaikathir”, Salem
November 29, 2012
3. "Isha conducts summer camp"
"Dinamani", Coimbatore
May 2, 2013
4. "Isha conducts summer camp for school students"
"Dinakaran", Coimbatore
May 3, 2013
5. "Special summer camp for Government school students"
"Makkal Kural", Coimbatore
May 4, 2013
6. “Special Summer Camp”
“Dinamalar”, Coimbatore
May 5, 2013
P a g e | 20: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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STUDENT AND STAFF SHARINGS
P. Surya - 6th Std, Govt Hr. Sec School (Boys), Adhiyamankottai, Dharmapuri
(Tamil remedial class student)
“Before this class, I didn’t know how to read Tamil. Here, the teacher taught me all the letters
first, then she taught me how to read words. She gave us individual help and taught us the
difference between Kuril and Nedil letters in Tamil. Now I’ve learned to read complete words
and have the enthusiasm to learn more.”
Priyadharshini - 6th Std, Madhvarayapuram, Coimbatore
(Maths remedial class student)
“I knew my numbers, but I didn’t know how to do addition and subtraction initially. The
teacher taught us these things in a very simple way. Now I can do simple addition and
subtraction and also know how to do sums with carry-over. I make sure I study my Maths
Tables whenever I get free time at school and at home.”
S. Vijaylakshmi, 12th Std, GHSS (Girls), Vizhupuram, Gogaipadi
(Yoga class student)
“I came to the yoga class without any expectations. But I feel very mentally peaceful now. I
never liked to be at home because my mother would scold me and I wouldn’t listen to her.
But after the class I have decided not to be angry with my mother or with anybody else. I
have trust in Sadhguru, I now have hope that I can manage any situation in my life. Thanks for
teaching us these yoga practices.”
M. Jamuna, 7th std, Dharmapuri
(„Magic English class‟ student)
“I like Magic English, I’m always very eager to attend and run into the classroom when
sessions start. Earlier, I used to get bored during class, now I feel so joyful learning English
through this method. It also seems like physical exercise. When the teacher says a command
like "Sit", "Standup", "Turn right", "Turn left", etc. - we do the actions he says. The teachers are
also happy that we are learning so well. This motivates me more and brings me joy. When I
practice the commands at home, my mother proudly says, "Great, even my daughter speaks
English now", which also makes me happy to hear.”
Keerthana - Isha Yoga Teacher
(Yoga training for school-teachers)
“The teachers in this yoga class really showed a high level of commitment to participate.
Even though some participants had severe cramps in their legs after playing football, once
we started the practices, they all just put in the effort to participate and do well. Almost
everyone did their practices this morning [the last day] by themselves without us guiding
them. This is phenomenal because they did not need any coaxing or convincing. Usually, only
if we tell the participants the benefits of doing yoga regularly, can we expect this kind of
commitment from them. These participants have not even taken a full Isha Yoga class, they
have just learned a few asanas [postures] and Surya Namaskar [Sun salutation] and still they
are so willing and inspired to make this a part of their daily life. 21 out of the 50 participants
have expressed an interest to learn yoga in an advanced way so that they can go on to
teach it to students in their school.”
P a g e | 21: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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GSAP Financials
For the period April 2012 – April 2013
Total money spent for the year: Rs.6,504,091 (approx. US $122,720)
Funds raised for the year of operation: Rs. 4,956,962 (approx. US $93,530)
For the period June 2013 - May 2014
Budget requirement – Rs.15,272,872 (approx. US $28,8170)
Funds raised so far – Rs.1,035,000 (approx. US $19,530)
P a g e | 22: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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PLANS FOR YEAR THREE: 2013 TO 2014
SCHOOL INTERVENTION PLANS (for 32 schools)
Recruit additional teachers to achieve a student to teacher ratio of 35:1 (currently we
are at 40:1, which improved significantly from 70:1)
Appointing teachers for creative subjects like music, dance and visual arts and forming
cultural clubs
Investing in physical education by organizing games, creating facilities to play, holding
coaching sessions, teaching first aid and physiotherapy, organizing school competitions,
and enrolling students in district and state-level competitions
Forming Student Parliaments to teach the democratic process and groom future leaders
Involving government teachers in leading extra-curricular activities and student-based
clubs
PROJECT REPLICATION AND SCALING-UP PLANS
The following initiatives are planned to empower other education-focused stakeholders with a
similar capacity to replicate our model in other Tamil Nadu schools:
Develop and share knowledge products, and create cross-learning platforms for similar
organizations at state and sub-state levels
Organize workshops and seminars for key education organizations
Play an advocacy role and proactively engage with the Government in its education
policy and programs
Develop Technology-enabled learning platforms to create a community of practice (for
teachers, Headmasters and District Administration)
PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION PLANS
Strengthen local governance of rural education by working with PTAs, VECs and
Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs = village municipal structures) in the process of
planning, implementing and monitoring school development activities
Facilitate a bottom-up decentralized district plan for education in select locations (at the
Panchayat and Taluka levels), in line with the Constitutional mandate under Article 243
P a g e | 23: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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ANNEXURE 1: 32 Adopted Schools
Coimbatore Schools
School
Village
1 Govt. Higher Secondary School Kuniamuthur
2 Govt. High School Kulathupalayam
3 Govt. Higher Secondary School Sundakamuthur
4 Govt. High School Semmedu
5 Govt. Higher Secondary School Madvaroyapuram
6 Govt. High School Madampatti
7 Govt. Higher Secondary School Alandurai
8 Govt. Higher Secondary School (Girls) Thondamuthur
9 Govt. Higher Secondary School (Boys) Thondamuthur
10 Govt. High School Devarayapuram
11 Govt. High School Narasipuram
12 Adi Dravider and Tribal Welfare High School Muttathuvayal
13 Govt. High School Nathe Gounden Pudur
14 Govt. Higher Secondary School Kalveerampalyam
15 Govt. Higher Secondary School Madukkarai
Dharmapuri Schools
School
Village
1 Govt. Higher Secondary School (Boys) Athiyamankottai
2 Govt. Higher Secondary School (Girls) Athiyamankottai
3 Govt. Higher Secondary School Lalikam
4 Govt. Higher Secondary School Palayampudur
5 Govt. Higher Secondary School Pandahalli
6 Govt. Higher Secondary School B. Agraharam
7 Govt. Higher Secondary School Indur
8 Govt. Higher Secondary School Kullanur
9 Govt. Higher Secondary School Pennagaram
10 Govt. Higher Secondary School Pennagaram
11 Govt. Higher Secondary School Yeriyur
12 Govt. Higher Secondary School Nerupur
Salem Schools
School
1 Govt. Higher Secondary School Mallur
Village
2 Govt. Higher Secondary School Panamarathupatti
3 Govt. Higher Secondary School Kullapainaicenur
4 Govt. Higher Secondary School Thirumanur
5 Govt. High School Gajjalnaickenpatti
P a g e | 24: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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Annexure II: Organization Background
Isha Foundation is an international, non-religious, not-for-profit public service organization, which
addresses all aspects of human wellbeing. Isha Foundation‟s social development projects, under Isha
Outreach, empower people to take care of themselves and their communities through large-scale,
sustainable and culturally appropriate health, educational, environmental and livelihood initiatives.
These include:
Action for Rural Rejuvenation - bringing holistic healthcare and livelihood to the doorsteps of
rural masses through community games, yoga programs, herbal gardens, cultural festivals,
vocational training as well as primary care and health awareness via 20 mobile and four fixed
medical clinics.
Isha Vidhya - providing quality education to under-privileged children with the goal of
establishing rural matriculation schools in every Taluk (village) of Tamil Nadu by 2015. The
comprehensive matriculation syllabus propels children to proficiency in English and working
with computers. 4,050 students were enrolled in eight Isha Vidhya schools (in the
Coimbatore, Erode, Nagercoil, Tuticorin, Villipuram, Salem, Cuddalore and Chitoor districts)
during the 2012-13 Academic Year.
Project GreenHands - aims to increase the green cover in Tamil Nadu to the national target
of 33%. Through agro-forestry plantation for rural farmers and mass distribution with partners,
Isha is working to achieve an additional 114 million trees. To-date, more than 17 million
saplings have been planted by over 1.5 million people across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
Contact Details:
Isha Outreach
17, Govindasamynaidu Layout,
Singanallur, Coimbatore, 641 005
Telephone: 0422 2580155
Fax: 0422 2580186
E-mail:
Website:
govtschool@ishaoutreach.org
www.ishaoutreach.org/gsap
P a g e | 25: GSAP Annual Review 2012-2013
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