Uttarkashi, January 28, 2010. Plan India , a child centered development organization with an Indian presence since 1979 in partnership with Shri. Bhubneshvari Mahila Ashram (SBMA) launched a School Improvement program under the Ujjwal Jyoti Model School Project. The project was launched by the Education Director, of Uttrakhand , Ms.Puspha Manas, Country Director, Plan India, Mr. Roland Angerer, Secretary, SBMA, Gyan Singh Rawat, Education officials from state, district and block levels, members of school management and Village education committees,   Students, Parents , Panchayat heads, District Magistrate and other district administration.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Naveen Kabarwal, Assistant Director said , “Education is a key and integral part of the government's agenda. The Ujjwal Jyoti Model School Project here will play a significant role in providing the disadvantaged the access to education which can play a critical role in education reform. Sarva Shiksa Abhiyan (SSA) – Education for All Government Scheme will be the umbrella under which the model school initiative operates."

Plan India , Country Director, Mr. Roland
Angerer said, " The model school envisions
 schools as better places for learning for
children. It comprehensively addresses the
issues of children's right to quality basic
education. It is aimed to improving the
accountability, efficiency, quality and child-
friendliness of school. It brings to the
forefront the role of children and parents in
bringing about meaningful changes in school
which affect children's enrolment, retention
and completion of basic school. This
approach to provide quality education by Plan
has been successfully implemented in the
four states, Uttrakhand , Andhra Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh and Bihar .

He added, “By replicating the best practices we are hoping to achieve quality education delivered to the children, hence will open doors to a better quality life . I am glad that we have found a broad coalition to promote the idea of model schools. It includes the children, families and communities in Uttarkashi, our partner organization SBMA, the State Government of Uttarkhand and our supporters."

The project supported by Beiersdorf , Germany seeks to create child friendly schools for all; schools that are open to all children irrespective of their caste, creed and gender. It addresses the critical issues that impede girl's education and strengthen those that help them to complete an education. The project will ensure that boys and girls attend school, complete the education cycle, especially girls, and improve their academic performance. Plan and SBMA will support communities and parents to support their children's attendance to school and monitor the quality of the education they receive.

he project also seeks to build the capacity of teachers and headmasters and other management representatives and create supportive environment in order to achieve better school retention rates and ensure improved academic performance of boys and girls aged 6-14 years. One of the project's advocacy strategies is the removal of Corporal Punishment linking it to the global advocacy campaign “Learn without Fear”. R ight to Education, a national campaign of Plan in India will complement the efforts of this project.

UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE MODEL SCHOOL PROJECT

• Teachers use innovative methods to ensure effective learning of all children and practice positive discipline
• School management is accountable and uses systems for planning, monitoring and evaluation of school performance

• Safe Environment where all children learn to read and write with a focus on the girl child.
• Motivated, trained and committed teachers and staff attending school more regularly and using techniques of positive discipline to prevent drop outs  and track learning levels of children
• Children's involvement in school activities and classrooms
• Involvement of Village elders, head teachers to sensitize them to the needs of the girl child
• Improve early childhood education system so that younger children stay in pre schools and girls are free to attend schools.
• Monitoring and support from government institutions and availability of government budgets for school maintenance.
• Implementation of school preparedness activities for children in ECCD centers and schools in classes 1 and 2 realize that special emphasis is needed for children working with parents
• Attention to children with disabilities and those who had previously dropped out
• Support to ensure children move smoothly from different levels and are equipped to move to high school and receive support to obtain employment.

About Plan

Plan India is a child-centered development organization that aims to promote Child Rights and improve the quality of life of vulnerable children. Plan India is a part of Plan International and currently works in 66 countries. In India , Plan works in 11 states and has directly impacted lives of over a million children and their families since 1979 and empowered them to realize their potential.

About SBMA

Shri Bhuvaneshwari Mahila Ashram (SBMA) is an independent organization that works with the people of Himalayas since 1977. SBMA work as catalyst in community development by the people, with the people and for the people through raising their awareness and responsibility in the community.

All India survey of out-of-school children 6-13 years, submitted to Department of Elementary Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human R esource Development, Government of India & Educational Consultants India Ltd by Social and R ural R esearch Institute (A specialist unit of IM R B International) 2006.

visit www.planindia.org for more information