COMMUNITY COMES TO ACTION

Literacy, a qualitative attribute of the population is one of the most important indicators of the socio-economic and political development of a society. It is a major component of human resource development and is thus basic of any program of social and economic progress. To ensure the smooth functioning of the education system at the grassroots, Village Education Committee (VEC) is formed. VECs are democratically elected social bodies under the district administration to look into issues related to education at the village level. IRRAD works to build capacities of the VECs in the villages and supports their smooth functioning.

A recent incident at the middle school of Santhavadi village in Nagina block of Mewat shows how timely action can solve confronting problems. The agenda of the VEC meeting held on 24 April, 2008 was the alarming student to teacher ratio of 300:1. The school was upgraded to middle level in 2008 but was still struggling with only one permanent teacher and three guest teachers whose frequency was a question. The only permanent teacher in the school was also away doing the special duty designated to him of photographing eligible candidates for the electoral rolls.

The Sarpanch and VEC members, with the help of IRRAD’s team, went into action and decided to knock the doors of authorities and call for concrete action.

The community appeared before the Assistant Block Coordinator to request for more teachers. The decision to appoint two new guest teachers and one regular teacher, especially for 8th class, in addition to already existing teachers, was taken at that very moment.

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