Girls’ Education is the strategic development priority in CYSD’s Integrated Tribal (Child) Development Project interventions in both Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts of Odisha. The findings of different studies reflect that girls as compared to boys are disadvantaged and discriminated in education, health and other aspects. Most of the girls in tribal dominated programme areas are dropped out from the secondary schools due to various reasons, like they are compelled to do household chores and take care of their siblings in one hand and the distance between their houses and the schools, and lack of girls’ toilet facilities in school campus on the other.

Now, CYSD has been focusing on gender transformative programme activities putting special emphasis on mass awareness to promote girls’ education, campaign on enrollment of girls in schools, capacity building of girls on child rights and protection, and orientation on school sanitation and personal hygiene etc.

In this initiative, girls’ education goes beyond getting them into school. The process ensures that girls learn and feel safe while in school; learn the socio-emotional and life skills necessary to navigate and adapt to a changing world; and take decisions about their own lives. Some of the key achievements are highlighted below:

188 SMC members Sensitized on Right to Education (RtE)

From10 targeted schools, 188 members of SMC – School Management Committee (including 78 female members) are oriented on Right to Education (RtE) Act and made aware about their roles and responsibilities, especially in designing school development plan, monitoring the school activities regularly with special focus on effective learning environment for girls at schools.

1320 Girls using WASH facilities in 10 Schools of Thakurmunda Block:

 In 10 schools of Thakurmunda block, CYSD has facilitated the renovation of separate toilets for girls, handwashing platforms and tube wells for drinking water purpose leveraging resources from the Block Administration. Around 1320 girls are using the upgraded Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities hassle-free.

 

 

1164 Adolescent Girls fortified with improved knowledge on Life Skill Health Education & ASRH:

Towards ensuring improved understanding of adolescent girls, around 1164 girls are oriented on life-skills health education along with the components of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), RTI, STI and HIV/AIDS. Besides, 124 girls from 10 schools of Thakurmunda block are imparted training on key aspects of life skills, like Yoga, leadership, problem-solving, decision making, creative writings and presentation skills.

1128 Girls are Digitally Literate through Digital Literacy campaigns at School level:

The digital literacy campaign of CYSD through World on Wheel (WoW) initiative envisaged to drive a long way towards creating digital learning environment in rural-tribal schools. WoW – a bus equipped with 20 computers, a large LCD screen and internet connectivity has demonstrated an overwhelming response from the students, teachers and parents including the government officials. As of now 1128 girls are equipped with computer knowledge. Teachers are digitally trained and emphasising on the basics of digital literacy and numeracy skills in course curriculum, where girls will have active participation.

As an impact of the above initiatives, the learning environment has become healthy, secure, protective and inspiring one for the girls. On the behavioural part, girls respecting to each other and the surrounding as well. The school administration process seems quite transparent – the headteacher and the SMC are treating the assistant teachers with respect. The schools have clear guidelines to ensure quality education for girls. Moreover, two schools are recognised with Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar; girls in schools are now rewarded for their talents in different events at Block, District and State levels. Two schools, consecutively for last two years, have shown more than 96% pass results in Std. X examination.