“ Universalisation of Primary Education” is universally acclaimed. However,equitable andquality education for all ensures justice and equity for the young citizens. Investment on Primary Education reduces social inequalities, gender imbalance and provides avenues for eradication of poverty. Vikash as an enabling institution of thinkers and development professionals believes that quality education is a much-needed catalyst for an overall enhancement of the society.

Campaign:

Rights-based campaigns on the issue of childcare, pre-school education, health, hygiene, nutrition, child rights and quality education is organized at the district and state level. Most of these campaigns are action oriented and adopts bottom up approach. The activity includes community meetings, village awareness, Children’s Fair and media campaign.

Vikash promotes advocacy work by citizens groups. Vikash also believes in promoting think tank groups for strengthening its advocacy campaign.

Workshop:

Block/district and state level workshops are organized on health, education, gender, hygiene / sanitation and child rights. Pro-active practical advocacy initiative is carried out through organizing inter-face between the community and the educational authority/PRI Members.

Pre-School:

Early Childhood Care & Education is one of the global concerns. Vikash has set up Pre-Schools in the inaccessible tribal area of Pottangi in the district of Koraput. The Pre-School provides joyful learning opportunities to the poor disadvantaged tribal children. The children learn through play, stories, action songs and dances. Personal hygiene and sanitation, social behaviour, colors and numbers, general science etc. is shared with the young kids. The basic focus of Pre-School education is to prepare the children for primary education in the general school, retention in the school and prevention of child labour.

Exposure:

The tribal children from hilly forest locations hardly get opportunity to visit towns and cities for knowledge sharing and exposure to modern tools and technologies. Vikash provides opportunity for the tribal children to explore and expose their hidden talents and creativity. Campaigns, events, cultural programs and exposure visits are organized for knowledge sharing, talent exhibition competition and social interaction at the village/block/district/state level. Traditional cultural events are organized at the community level involving the children and the community.

Innovation:

An innovative multi-grade teaching curriculum is developed in the local language and printed in Oriya script. The curriculum is designed in the context of the existing village/family environment and the learning needs of the children. The classroom transaction and the school environment reflect the indigenous tribal culture and traditional practices.

Community Participation:

The Pre-School starts without walls but gradually the community contributes and builds the house for the children to study. The parents and the community is involved for the overall management of Pre-School The community also provides local made play materials like swing, zig-zag and climbing etc. The parents and the community are imparted training on childcare and child rights.

Training:

The local youth is trained to become competent Pre-School teachers. The community leaders both men and women are trained to become efficient school managers.

Inclusive Education:

All children are born equal and hence deserve equal opportunity, care and protection. Vikash works to provide an enabling environment for the children with disability to learn and live with dignity. Social interaction among the general children and children with disabilities is a mandate facilitated by Vikash everywhere.Besides providing special medical services, treatment, care, aids and appliances,the children with disabilities are empowered to join the mainstream society. The children are provided pre schooling along with other children. They are also given ADLS (Activities of Daily Living), speech therapy and behavioral orientation. The local school teachers are oriented on the waysof managing these children with special learning needs.

Advocacy & Networking:

Vikash has developed a network of thinkers and development professionals to conduct advocacy with the community and for the community. Regular meetings are organized to debate on important issues related to child rights, education and development. The outcomes of the meetings are reported in the media to draw the attention of the concerned people and government agencies. Vikash also works with a network of NGO working on the issue of education and childcare in the tribal area. Issue based policy advocacy is conducted on a common platform of NGOs as and when required.

Kitchen garden in the residential land is promoted to ensure good nutrition for the children.. The children are also given exposure to kitchen gardening.

Crech:

Vikash organizes crèches along with supply of supplementary nutrition during emergency situation like natural calamities.

Child Labour Prevention Centre:

In special cases or after any devastating calamity Vikash organizes Child Labour Prevention Centres.

Scientific Temper:

Ignorance and superstition leads to mis-management, fundamentalism, suppression and under development.Scientific temper is the key to prosperity, communal harmony and liberty. Vikash promotes it by organizing meetings, camps and festivals.