SEVAI, Welcome to Society of Education Village Action and Improvement

SEVAI - EDUCATION SECTOR

‘Real education has to draw out the best from the boys and girls to be educated. This can never be done by packing ill-assorted and unwanted information into the heads of the students. It becomes a dead weight crushing all originality in them and turning them into mere automata’ said -Mahatma Gandhi.

Mission Education is a comprehensive programme from SEVAI which focuses on basic education for underprivileged children and youth. SEVAI believes that whether you are addressing healthcare, poverty, population control, unemployment or human rights, there's no better place to start than in the corridors of Education. Because education is both the means as well as the end to a better life: means, because it empowers an individual to earn his/her livelihood and the end because it increases one's awareness on a range of issues – from healthcare to appropriate social behavior to understanding one's rights.SEVAI believes that Good citizens are essential for the welfare of the Community. It is the duty of all of us to bring up child community to become such good citizens. For needy and disadvantaged children, it becomes the added duty of the society to take charge of them, give them shelter, love and affection, self-confidence and life-coping education. Without this support there is a risk that they will fall a prey to antisocial elements.

SEVAI has been focussed on the education and development of people from marginalized communities and has taken forward these priorities with renewed rigour based on basic principles and program strategies. The era of globalization and increasing awareness of rights has added new demands on the education system. Amidst global concerns and the drive for economic growth, the focus on children – their protection, well being and learning needs – are given top priority in SEVAI. SEVAI understands the complexity of our social and educational environment, with plural identities, languages and struggle for survival, and SEVAI works on empowerment such section of people not being deprived of basic rights and amenities.

The educational programs of SEVAI have a wide scope, and are based on basic principles such as. Child-centered education, People’s participation, particularly of women, Development of local leadership, Strengthening local infrastructure and services, The programs are being developed in a carefully developed time frame for a cumulative impact. The emphasis is on multiplying effective processes and nurturing institutions focussed on children and young people. SEVAI supports a series of projects related to access and quality of education across the country. A majority of the access projects involve bridge courses for out-of-school children and
their enrolment in government or local schools.

SEVAI tracks the children are continuously tracked and supported to ensure that they do not drop out of school. The focus on education, Child protection and rehabilitation of children in distress, Systematic engagement with the community, Education for out-of-school children, with focus on girls, tribals, dalits and minorities, Child-centered pedagogy, Mainstreaming of children into government and other schools, Supplementary interventions to improve retention, SEVAI is flexible about supporting projects related to children. Collaborative programs with Government are encouraged to increase the impact and quality of programs.

The importance of quality along with access, child-centered learning, mother tongue as the medium of instruction and an overall enabling environment are key for motivating children and communities.SEVAI promotes a series of projects related to education and empowerment of adolescents and youth. SEVAI has always been committed to the task of community building, and have invested in creative and talented youth as agents of social change and development. Projects implemented by SEVAI have demonstrated the effectiveness of engaging with youth and women Self Help groups in developmental processes. Across the target areas, wherever young populations have been engaged with issues of public concern, the results have been dramatic. SEVAI creates opportunities for young people to realize their potential, both in terms of social leadership and entrepreneurship, and enable them to positively contribute to the development of their community. In this context, new strategies are also constantly evolved to create new opportunities for adolescents and youth.

SEVAI working with communities have achieved limited success in improving access to resources and livelihoods. However, their empowerment and sustainable livelihoods get limited in the absence of education. Education and literacy is becoming increasingly identified as the critical factor of development of communities – rural, urban poor, displaced, migrants, minorities, and thus SEVAI Considers that Education is a critical task for empowerment, as it can equip people to deal with the complexities of their environment on their own terms. Women who are struggling to survive need it as a tool to critically analyse problems and to seek solutions SEVAI realizes the importance of literacy particularly for women who are organized in Self Help Groups and has developed programs to extend learning opportunities to them. In strategic terms, the SEVAI realizes that resource groups and academic programs
for professional education of trainers and educational managers are required to supplement field-based programs.

1. PRIMARY EDUCATION

‘PRIMARY EDUCATION is the key to progress, it empowers the individual, and it enables a nation’. There is a lot to learn from the Basic education system advocated by Mahatma Gandhi. The whole issue of relevance of education has been raised in the context of education for life. A lot of experts feel that education is not just the process of imparting literacy and numeracy.

SEVAI runs two primary schools and SEVAI Where each individual is afforded the opportunity for optimal growth, SEVAI Primary School sees this growth, in all its aspects, as an on- going process and SEVAI School administration:

Enables the pupils to express themselves clearly.
Encourages curiosity and independence of thought.
Provides an individualized programme according to his or her needs, ability and potential.
Challenges students to realize that potential.
Promotes physical development through a diverse athletics programme.
Encourages creative and cultural opportunities in an enriched fine arts programme.
In the primary School prepare individuals to cope with the complexities of a contemporary and rapidly changing society. SEVAI therefore:
Offers the opportunity to each student to attain fluency in at least one language other than her / his native tongue.
Promote a healthy lifestyle through an interest in lifetime sports and athletics, fostering team spirit and sportsmanship which will enable students to cope with the stresses of contemporary living.
Develop an open- minded attitude towards new technology.
Encourage the purposeful use of materials and techniques which will enhance the growth of the individual throughout life.

It is actually a process of socialization that helps children cope with the natural and the social environment. They have therefore, emphasized the need to develop a school system that builds on the solidarities in societies and tries to learn from the natural environment. The pursuit of useful and relevant education would imply a much greater focus on integrating physical and mental development.

Mettumarudur Primary School

SEVAI strappingly believes that Education is important not only for the full development of one's personality, but also for the sustained growth of the family. “The health, education and creative abilities of children will determine the well being and strength of a nation.

Pupils with dignity /giving full expression/ creativity in Primary schools

SEVAI team ensures quality of Education in SEVAI run primary schools and SEVAI team also works with the Government schools providing quality of education especially and for the Disadvantaged sections of the SEVAI target area particularly girls, Dalits, marginalized and (disabled), the differently abled.

SEVAI includes several features that seek to improve the quality of elementary education, ensuring basic provisioning to enable improvement in the quality of classroom transactions; (b) large scale capacity building of States, for undertaking interventions for quality enhancement; and (c) evaluation of quality related processes and assessment of learning outcomes. The expert group is to advise School teachers for the conduct of achievement study and to develop a Systemic Quality Index that helps SEVAI to interpret the result oriented outcomes of achievements.

SEVAI’s QUALITY MONITORING TOOLS - A continuous and comprehensive monitoring and supervision system has been developed by SEVAI in the form of quality monitoring tools are:(a)Children’s Attendance,(b) Community Support and Participation,(c)Teacher and Teacher Preparation,(d) Curriculum and Teaching Leaning Material,(e)Classroom Practices and Processes,(f) Learners’ Assessment, Monitoring and Supervision. The primary education provided in SEVAI is vertical in Development Gateway as an attempt to empower the children and teachers by providing ample resource materials to archive the goal of Elementary Education.SEVAI manages two Primary schools in Tamil medium in Mettu Marudur, in a a rural area and Bickchandar Koil,in an urban slum area.

Bichandar Koil Primary School with active learning with teaching aids.

Around for around 500 Pupils pursue their studies in these two schools run by SEVAI. In recent past, SEVAI has made a huge progress in terms of increasing primary education enrolment, retention, regular attendance rate in these two schools, the quality of elementary education, especially adopting Activity Based Learning methods.
In these SEVAI run schools, Primary Education includes the participatory ‘bottom up’ approach with transparency, and sustained monitoring school with the goal of educating all children as the best citizens of the Under this ABL method it is observed in SEVAI that these two schools where SEVAI actively involves that the Children learn on their own pace.
Provision of more time for self-directed learning and teacher directed learning is reduced considerably Group learning, mutual learning and self learning are promoted Teachers teaching time is judiciously distributed among children.
Only needy children are addressed by teachers Children's participation in every step is ensured in the process of learning, Evaluation is inbuilt in the system it is done without the child knowing it.
In these two SEVAI run schools, it is observed that Reading and writing are individual activities, unless one is reading aloud for others to hear. Reading involves comprehending words. Reading also demands listening to what the writer wishes to communicate. Understanding means gathering relevant details and getting a sense of what one has read. Alertness and attentiveness demand that one understands whatever one is listening to, or reading, is another's viewpoint. SEVAI teachers are intelligent and they are: open to lifelong learning, not just already learnt knowledge/ skills - not be tied to one way of looking at things, open to alternative solutions, willing to study, read, look at new seemingly unconnected information - capable of collaborative functioning – find the inner resources to listen to many views and respond - by seeking clarification, By rephrasing - by finding / articulating non-divisive questions for common engagement.

SEVAI Schools engage the primary school pupils intelligently in the knowledge age.

Able to see that all knowledge is limited
Be resourceful in and with the given context
Learn the other skills needed to make knowledge relevant
Be open to finding out the basic assumptions in what is being said, written, shown - ask questions, clarify
Feel free to ask if a view is factual and true, and under what circumstances

Enriching English language at the primary level :
English occupies a unique position in popular imagination. It is seen as a gateway to knowledge and is said to confer prestige and social distinction to anyone who learns to use it fluently. To enable all children to gain the advantages of this social phenomenon, it has been introduced conversational English in Class I itself in all these schools. In ABL methodology, English is introduced in Class I through conversation cards. However, learning to speak a second language involves some challenges. When children learn to speak their mother tongue, all their senses are actively engaged in the process. Learning to speak a second language in school does not replicate these natural processes and multi-sensory engagement.

Therefore, introduction of audio-visual technology in combination with print materials has been used to open out a host of opportunities for children to experience English in meaningful contexts. An audiovisual CD “Hello English” developed by Regional Institute of English was given to selected schools and children were exposed to it. Children watched the CD and then did activities suggested on it. Teachers and students were delighted with their programmes and they have begun to speak English without any psychological barrier.

Thanks for SSA for its innovative materials for Mathematics for classes’ I-IV have been enriched by the introduction of three-dimensional materials based on Montessori system.

There are 25 items such as Number Rods, Addition boards, Multiplication Cloth etc which concretize the basic arithmetic operations. Mid-day Meal Scheme involves provision of lunch free of cost to school-children on all working days.

The key objectives of the programme are: protecting children from classroom hunger, increasing school enrolment and attendance, improved socialisation among children, addressing malnutrition, and social empowerment through provision of employment to women. The success of this scheme is illustrated by the tremendous increase in the school participation and completion . The meals provided in SEVAI schools with Government support has Nutrition (also called nourishment) is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials to support life. Many common health problems are e prevented with this healthy diet.The diet of an organism is what it eats, and is largely determined by the perceived palatability of foods.

Details of associated services provided:

Supply of Nutritious Noon Meal
Supply of Free Slates for Standard 1.
Supply of Free Bus Pass for all students coming over to school.
Supply of Free Text Books for all students from Standard 1 to 5
Bridge course Non-formal Education for dropouts.
Open Schools those who completed 8th Standard.

2.SEVAI SHANTHI MATRICULATION HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL:

School pupils with full of freedom of self expression of creative thoughts……

The initiation of Shanthi School in Pettavaithalai has created great willingness and response among the villagers nearby towards sending their children to the School for getting education. The teachers promote the Children in the School with special attention in creative Education system. This integral formula multiple our aptitudes, adds our enthusiasm, subtracts our negligence, divides us from superiority complex.. Special Features of Creative Education System: The beginning of everyday is a smiling one for the children of Shanthi School, for school going. Around 1000 children hailing from the inerior rural villages are benefited by this school.

Group work and study also encouraged the children for the better quality of education. Specialized teachers imparts quality education focusing in-depth parts of the subjects and I methodology.

MORNING SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

The way of teaching and the other activities are designed for the new millenium children and the quality of the education has been updated every year towards periodic development. We are glad to inform you that this School has been recognized by the Government for conducting further 11th standard for the children to continue their higher studies. The students of Shanthi School achieved 100% result with first class marks in the Matriculation exam recognized by the Government. SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School is a unique educational institution in Trichirapalli District. It nurtures, in the minds of young children, all the values necessary for a successful and meaningful life. The aim of this humble institution is the accomplishment of the overall development of each child irrespective of its caste, creed or religion. SEVAI with the support of several well wishers and supporters founded this school, and it aims at providing quality education based on sound educational principles.

SEVAI undertakes Comprehensive developmental activities and as a part of its activities it had SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Secondary School to provide quality education based on sound educational principles.

This SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation School achieved high quality of education and also human values and it has 100% pass every year with outstanding marks obtained in the Public Examination, Xth Standard. Our strong strength, our staff team are here dedicatedly working hard for the development of each and every student. This school has been elevated as higher secondary school from the year 2010, the strength increased to 1200 students and 43 staff members.

SEVAI Shanthi Higher Secondary School Courses: XI & XII Standard

Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Accountancy,
Commerce, Economics, Computer Science

PARENTS’ TEACHERS MEET IN SCHOOL PREMISES

To that end this school is ecumenical in intention, international in perspective, caring in spirit, committed in action and dedicated to excellence as such,

The school reinforces the philosophy, mission and objectives of " SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School ",
Promotes Academic excellence,
Enables each student to reach his or her potential in all dimensions.
The purpose of the higher sec. school Uniform Policy is to provide a regular appearance, and to assure adequate protection from the climate, consistent with school activity.
The uniform policy promotes the development of good personal grooming habits. The wearing of the school uniform is obligatory. All items should be marked with the student’s name.
Infrastructure Lab/Lib./computer facilities/eco-clubs

SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School is also a caring environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential, prepared to think globally, with a commitment to justice and challenged to act responsibly in a consistently changing society.
SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School with a consistent track record for achieving the highest academic results.SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School has a comprehensive curriculum that is varied to cater for all students' needs.
SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School has invested over the past 5 years in developing our campus, with the objective of giving our students the very best environment and facilities to work in. SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School has Visual and Performing Arts program and facility which is probably the best in Trichy today.
SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School Athletics program is regarded by many as one of the most comprehensive of any of the matriculation schools in Tamil Nadu and one that has seen significant success over the years.

Language star program in English Learning…

Joyful Learning atmosphere in the School

SCHOOL BUSES

School Building

SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School provides plenty of opportunities for the all-around development of our pupils. This is done through various literary & cultural associations of our school. Activities like Scouts & Guides, Road Safety Patrol, Bull Bulls, Band, Cubs Sports activities, Dance, Music classes are conducted regularly.

SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School has Scouts & Guides troops to cultivate the habit of becoming good citizens and to improve the humanity of the country. It conducts a regular camp which helps to face the abnormal situation without the help of others. In camps various games are conducted which improves the physical & mental abilities of the children. It has been carried out by well trained teachers.
SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School has Road Safety Patrol troops.
Every day a group of students perform some functions outside the school campus. It helps the students to realize the disaster of the accidents and how they can prevent it.
First aids are taught to these students so that they can save many lives.
SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School yoga classes twice a week. It strengthens the mental ability of the children.
“True glory consists in doing and living to make the world happier and better for our living in it.”
Under the guidance of 2 teachers, 40 students take active role in awakening environmental awareness among people.
SEVAI School Pupils behave in a courteous and gentle manner on all occasions.

They address their teachers and all members of the staff with due respect and politeness. Good moral behavior and gentle ways are prerequisites of every student.
They always remember that the school is judged by their conduct. All Students strictly observe the rules of the school, attending of home work, regular attendance, moral behavior, disobedience, and respect towards the members of the staff.
Parents’ takes part and co-operate in the work of the school by enforcing regularity, punctuality and discipline and by taking a daily interest in their children's progress.
They check the diary daily for any remarks and note the homework given. The parents also check the diaries regularly and note the teachers’ remark, etc., and acknowledge the same promptly by placing their
signature against the remark.
Parents also see that their children study and do their homework regularly. Parents make their own arrangement whenever students are asked to come before / remain after school hours for various curricular and extra curricular activities. Whenever the parents are asked to meet the principal to discuss their son's academic condition / any misbehavior, they meet the Principal without fail on the stipulated date specified in the circular letter sent by the school office.
Parents who seek information or who wish to make some complaint should do so to the Principal and not to the class teacher.
Parents, guardians or other persons are not allowed to meet the students or interview their teachers during school hours without permission of the Principal.
The members of the staff be met during their free periods or school recesses.

School Teachers Welcome the Parents and Guests

Parents, when communicating with the principal, are requested to mention in their letter the class (standard) and division of their children.
Parents who wish to take their children out during the school hours should get the necessary written permission from the Principal by submitting a letter and stating the reason.
Parents should come in persons to take their children from the school
Normally school is a place where children are taught. The process of teaching differs from school to school depending on the ideals and philosophy of the schools.
A school that has futuristic approach knows the difference between teaching for marks and teaching for life.
SEVAI School has a judicious mixture of these both ingredients of education. A student of such a school has exciting experience of gathering more and more skills for his life.

• In SEVAI SHANTHI MATRICULATION HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL
Students are exposed to the four basic skills for the success of life.
1) Skill to take decisions in a short time,
2) Skill to accept difficult situations,
3) Skill to communicate what he has in mind to others effectively,
4) Skill to work under pressure.

School Cultural Events

SEVAI still keep their minds clear about the goal of education i.e to prepare the students entrusted to them to face the world boldly with justice, equality, liberty and fraternity. A school, which prepares their students only for the board examination will never achieve this end.

3. SEVAI Vocational Education and Training (SVET).

SEVAI Vocational education or Vocational Education and Training (VET)prepares Target area women and youth learners for jobs that are based in manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic and totally related to a specific trade,

The SEVAI vocational Educational Institute focuses on need based training on the basis on which young people acquire the skills needed for long-term employment, and provides people with the skills that the economy requires. SEVAI Vocational Educational Institute enhanced the following areas:

Impact vocational skills, life skills and technical knowledge to neo-literates and their trainees and raise their efficiency and increase their productive ability;
Organize equivalency programmes for its beneficiaries through Open Schools;
Through Life Enrichment Education (LEE), wide the knowledge and understanding of the social, economic and political systems among its beneficiaries in order to create a critical awareness about the environment;
Promote national goals such as secularism, national integration, women’s equality, protection and conservation of the environment.

SEVAI Vocational Educational Institute offers need based vocational training programmes from candle making to computer courses with assured placements.

As vocational Education is both the means as well as the end to a better life: means, because it empowers an individual to earn his/her livelihood with employability skill, it increases one's awareness on a range of issues –appropriate social behavior to understanding one's rights – and in the process evolve as a better citizen. Vocational training in SEVAI is provided on a full time as well as part time basis.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CLASSES

Continuous, career-long learning provided in SEVAI Vocational Educational Institute new procedures and methods for occupational education.
The area of “media and methods” develops strategies to promote selforganised in SEVAI Vocational Educational Institute learning, analyses procedures and methods of workplace learning, in particular the potential for development, and other modes of learning.
It also investigates the ways in which informally acquired skills can be certified, including from the perspective of the Internationalization of vocational training.
SEVAI has promoted an Institute for Continuing Education as Life long learning on the concept ‚’Fit for Job and Fit for Life’ as Continued and Lifelong learning has become a necessity in today’s dynamic information society.
Sevai Institute for Continuing Education has been approved by Universities as their learning centres for persusing job oriented courses and this means that new occupational training structures and new learning methods are developed for both classroom and week-end -classroom settings.
A variety of courses open to the target area of SEVAI are offered throughout the year by Continuing Education. Courses are held on Allur and Nagapatinam, Karaikal campuses. Courses are offered not only at working days but also during week ends. SEVAI programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional level positions for many in-demand occupations.
SEVAI currently offers certificate programs in the areas of addressing the following community needs: Self-Enrichment, Vocational, and Lifelong Learning: Art, Health, Agriculture and Non-farm Activities and Special Interest, Healthcare and Fitness, Helpers of the Hospitals and Nursing Homes, Early Childhood Education, Enterprise Management, Management of Firms and accountancy, Self Help Groups Managements,Bio farming and horticulture, Skilled Trades.
SEVAI understnands that the need for learning is on the rise, but diagnosing the nature and scope of this need is becoming increasingly difficult. Although it is sometimes said nowadays that each individual must take greater responsibility for their own employability, the task of ensuring that a society’s workforce has the necessary skills cannot be left to individual assessments or to natural development of an inherent learning culture.
Hence, SEVAI’s “continuing education” focuses on the upradation of continuing learning opportunities, particularly concerning the integration of learning into everyday work duties and processes, and the various stages of employees’ career paths.
SEVAI’s study in Trichy ubran areas reveals that many enterprises are seeking to pay more attention to the qualification and development of their staff – not least given the increasing shortage of suitable workers. SEVAI had identified that Small and medium-sized firms in particular require flexible approaches to qualifications, which take into account limited personnel, time and financial resources and allow firm-specific approaches. In Trichy alone 35000 jobs are available but they do not have employable youth. The unemployed youth are given training to be employable in SEVAI,Allur,Naapattinam and other potental locations.
SEVAI Institute for Continuing Education has understood well that Continuing Education plays an increasingly important role in the future for individuals, society and the economy and the importance of educational support by SEVAI lies in the contribution which it can make to the systematic orientation of continuing education.
SEVAI analyses processes, structures and institutions and University’s Efficiency at ways to shape Continuing education training in an efficient and effective way. Today, Continuing Education has emerged as an important source of employment.SEVAI has taken many significant initiatives to popularize continuing vocational education quality training.

4. NON –FORMAL EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL DROP-OUTS:

SEVAI implemented this project Non-formal Education Programme covers more underprivileged children from rural areas for 1500 children in early 2000. Classes IV and V have already been added in this project with proper
teachers and extracurricular activities.

Children in Need Enrolled, Initially Non-Formal and Main Streaming

Non-Formal vocational Education Institute for School Dropouts

Along with educational support, health care is integrated in the project. Regular health check-up and growth monitoring is ensured for the children. Keeping in mind the children's nutritional need and support, all the children get balanced mid-day meal at the centre.
The special components of the project are that 50% of the children get NFE [Non-formal Education], who are either non–school going or school dropouts. Health checkup of all children enrolled and their growth is monitored.
Teachers maintain a homely environment with the students so that they will love coming to the school, Monitoring of the children once they are mainstreamed to formal schools, Regular health check-up, growth monitoring as well as nutritional support are ensured, SEVAI had vowed to make the integrated programme a showcase project for empowering the society by providing education to children from the underprivileged section.
SEVAI experienced that Learning is not restricted to the time spent in school. However, ongoing learning throughout life enables people to take advantage of new opportunities that arise as society changes.
It also provides opportunities for those who are unemployed to re-enter the workforce. Every kind of learning that happens outside the traditional school setting is called non-formal. However, SEVAI sees non-formal education as an educational movement, a setting, a process and a system. The projects and programmes implemented by SEVAI under the label of 'non-formal education' are very diverse in scope.
What usually has in common is an organised, systematic, educational activity, carried on outside the framework of the formal education system, to provide different types of learning to particular groups in the population, both adults and children. Thus non-formal education is different from the institutionalised, chronologically graded and hierarchically structured nature of the formal education system.
SEVAI views that Education is the power which can transform lives. Children born to underprivileged parents do not mean they can’t excel and we being elder just need to hold their hands a bit.We love our children and they love us. It is this bond between us that will ensure a bright future for these underprivileged children and a sense of purpose for SEVAI, without support from good hearts, it would have been impossible to grow and reach where we are today.

Children Born to Underprivileged Can Also Excel and We to Hold Their Hands a Bit

SEVAI incorporated a project component titled "Empowering Adolescents through Life Skills Education". The project follows Life Skills Education strategy, which is a comprehensive behaviour change approach that concentrates on the development of the skills needed for life such as communication, decision making, thinking, managing emotions, assertiveness, resisting peer pressure etc.

Education empowers….We shall overcome…….