Education

The quality of education defines and determines the quality of life that a society aspires to lead. Recognizing the importance of improving the quality of education in the schools, there have been several government and non-government efforts across the country spanning many years. Though these efforts have, to some extent, addressed issues of basic infrastructure and access, aspects such as, equity, teacher capability and quality of learning continue to present a serious challenge to these ongoing national efforts. As a response to this scenario, AMAN has taken up the Cluster Education initiative in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to create an environment of transformative learning wherein children are respected as creative, unique individuals who are enabled to identify their inclinations, interests and develop their innate capabilities.

AMAN in collaboration with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Government of Bihar implemented an approach to education that focuses on the core principles of learning to enhance effectiveness in learning while supporting processes to develop teacher abilities. It focused to develop an effective model of assessment that provides feedback on the learning level of the individual learner. The project established a 'learner centred' schooling process in which every learner is self-directed to develop their innate capabilities.

New approaches for teacher's empowerment that promotes a higher level of motivation among teachers to facilitate learning in children and encourages collaborative learning among the teachers were introduced.

The project reached out to three clusters: Nawabganj, Dharaut and Jhamanbigha of Makdumpur block in the district of Jehanabad. Around 3858 children; 1880 girls and 1978 boys; from 37 schools were benefitted under this initiative.

The YSLI is a program that aims to support young children affected by conflict in the regions of J&K. Building on the years of experience of working with young people, the YSLI initiative seeks to provide a more holistic framework for leadership development among the youth so that they not only build meaningful careers but become constructive citizens who advocate and nurture an equitable, just and caring society.

The project beneficiaries were children in between the age group of 12-18 yrs. During 2015-16 the program reached out to children across the regions of Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and Ramban districts in J&K. The young scholars, guardians, teachers and other stakeholders have been thoroughly involved in various activities of the program. As suggested by the scholars and their teachers some career counselling sessions were also offered for the students under this initiative.

Around 180 scholars including 92 female scholars were benefited by the YSLI program whose comprehensive profiles are in record with the AMAN team.

Project Period: 1st December 2016 to 30th November 2017

The public library development in India remains an untouched affair. Most of the public libraries in India are either under-utilised or lack adequate resources to cater to the demand of its users. Considering that the public libraries are easy to access knowledge centres, it demands urgent attention for reinvention and transformation. Considering the violence that the state of J&K has been witnessing, the public libraries act as spaces where children and adolescents are able to engage themselves positively amidst civil disorder which otherwise leaves lasting traumatic impressions on their tender mind.

AMAN Trust in collaboration with NASSCOM Foundation launched project IPLM in J&K with a vision to support and train library administration staffs to enhance and develop their skills that is needed in process of repositioning public libraries. AMAN's field team engaged rigorously in mobilising the community across 12 districts in the state J&K public libraries to generate awareness and promote the use of public libraries. New services such as introduction of NEET JEE preparatory material, e-learning resources, ICT readiness related devices, construction of children's corner were added to these libraries for enhancing library user's experience. The project understands the importance of networking and developing sustainable partnership to harness resources from the community for effective functioning of libraries. Several rounds of training for the librarians and other staffs were conducted by the capacity building expert team.

Most of the librarians admitted that project IPLM J&K has resulted in increased number of users of library services especially the youth population. It has also led to rewarding collaboration between AMAN Trust and the state department of library and research, J&K.