Rajiv Gandhi Prathmik Shiksha Mission

A school with an alternative package

There is a need for alternative schooling facilities for drop-outs, working/ migrating children. The concept of this schooling system was based on the ideas developed by DIGANTAR, an NGO in Rajasthan.

The alternative schools not only provide primary education facilities to working children, migrating children and drop-outs (specially girls) of the district, they also provide geographical access to children in accessless habitations. This facility has paid a vital role in increasing enrolment in the district.

180 alternative schools have been opened in the district which are providing schooling facilities to more than 5700 children.

The curriculum and pattern of functioning of alternative schools are quite different from those of the formal primary schools. Though alternative schools are not non-formal schools but their functioning is in many ways similar to that of NFE centres. Two teachers specially trained in the pedagogy of alternative schooling are posted in each alternative school.

There is no grade (class) system in alternative schools. If a learner can attain the requisite number of competencies, he can proceed to learn higher competencies. A learner could be learning higher competencies in one subject, say, mathematics and lower competencies in another subject, say, language. The text books of these schools are divided into series of books based upon competencies. There is freedom of pace of learning: the child can learn what he wants to learn and when.

The timings and vacations of these schools are decided by the local community. The community looks after day to day affairs and management of these schools. The community has provided buildings for running 167 alternative schools. Of these, six buildings were constructed by the community itself. Other alternative schools are running in the houses of local residents.

The Mission provides financing for the salary of teachers, contingent expenditure, teaching aides, learning material and free text books for the learners.

The links below would give a clear picture of the efforts taken for promoting literacy in the district.

The story of access
A school with an alternative package
Education Guarantee Scheme
Civil works
Special drive on repairs
Bringing the child to the school
Keeping the child in the school
In the world of the handicapped
Multi-grade education