JEEVANTIRTH RURAL INTERNSHIP REPORT
TASK 1
1.Affordable and clean energy
Gandhinagar is making significant strides in clean and affordable energy, focusing on
solar power:
● Gandhinagar Solar City Project (2012):
Aimed to make the city a solar model, resulting in over 6 MW of rooftop solar
installations, benefiting homes and businesses.
● Surya Urja Rooftop Yojana:
○ 40% subsidy for residential solar systems.
○ 20% subsidy for commercial solar systems.
○ Helped reduce electricity costs for many residents and businesses.
● Energy Independence:
○ Solar power has reduced dependence on coal and other non-renewable
sources.
○ Households report a 20–50% reduction in electricity bills.
● Environmental Impact:
○ Over 7,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions are cut yearly due to solar
energy adoption.
● Job Creation:
○ Solar projects have created local jobs in manufacturing, installation, and
maintenance.
○ Training programs like Skill India have empowered youth to join the
renewable energy sector.
The few established private sector companies that are working on clean energy in
Gandhinagar are as follows:
● Arraycom (India) Ltd.:
Supplies and installs solar power systems, approved by MNRE and GEDA.
● Grace Renewable Energy:
Manufactures and supplies solar panels and rooftop systems.
● Ornate Solar:
Provides reliable and cost-effective solar solutions for residential and commercial
use.
2.Quality education
In Gandhinagar, several initiatives, both large and small, are being implemented to
enhance the quality of education:
1. Mission Schools of Excellence: This major initiative is focused on upgrading
educational infrastructure. It involves setting up new classrooms, smart
classrooms, and computer labs to create a more engaging and modern learning
environment. The initiative also enhances teaching methods and provides better
educational resources.
2. Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK): VSK is a governance and monitoring platform
aimed at improving education quality through systemic reforms. It provides
data-driven tools for effective decision-making and ensures that schools adhere
to quality standards, benefiting both teachers and students.
3. Smart Schools Initiative: Under this project, 59 out of 69 smart schools have
already been completed, with the rest soon to follow. These schools are
equipped with modern facilities like digital learning tools and interactive
classrooms, ensuring students have access to cutting-edge educational
technologies.
4. Gandhinagar Education Empowerment Program (GEEP): GEEP supports
underprivileged students by providing scholarships, financial aid, and mentorship.
The program ensures that economic barriers do not hinder access to quality
education, helping students from low-income families succeed academically and
continue their education. By addressing financial challenges, GEEP promotes
equal educational opportunities for all students.
5. Smaller Localized Projects:
○ E-Learning Centers: In smaller areas of Gandhinagar, e-learning centers
have been set up to provide students with access to online courses and
digital study materials, making education more accessible.
○ Teacher Training Programs: Focused workshops are organized to train
teachers in modern teaching techniques, digital tools, and how to better
engage with students, especially in underprivileged areas.
○ Community Engagement Initiatives: Local community groups are
involved in organizing awareness campaigns about the importance of
education, ensuring more children stay enrolled and motivated to learn.
These combined efforts—from large-scale initiatives to smaller localized projects—are
working towards ensuring that the students of Gandhinagar have access to quality
education with modern tools, engaged teachers, and supportive communities.
PROBLEM ANALYSIS TREE
Problem Statement
TASK-2
Sdg 4: Quality Education
1. Identify the Problem
Indian government schools face a severe shortage of qualified and skilled teachers,
leading to a decline in the quality of education provided to students from economically
weaker sections.
2. Put the Problem into Context
Government schools in India, which cater to over 60% of the country's student
population, often struggle to attract and retain good teachers. This is due to factors like
low salaries, lack of training opportunities, and inadequate infrastructure. As a result,
students are deprived of the quality education necessary to build a strong foundation for
their future, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
3. Find the Root Cause
The root causes include:
● Lack of teacher training programs to improve skills.
● Poor working conditions such as inadequate classrooms, lack of teaching aids,
and excessive non-teaching duties (e.g., election duties).
● Lack of incentives or career growth opportunities for teachers.
● Inefficient teacher recruitment policies, leading to vacancies and unqualified
appointments.
● Job Security: Minimal accountability due to secure government jobs.
● Corruption: Mismanagement and unfair hiring practices undermine the system.
● Family Poverty: Financial struggles force children to drop out or prioritize work
over education, reducing overall demand for quality teaching.
● Gender Discrimination: Parents often prioritize quality education for male
children over female children.
4. Describe Your Ideal Outcome
An ideal outcome would involve Indian government schools staffed with well-trained,
motivated, and adequately compensated teachers. These teachers would provide
engaging, inclusive, and high-quality education, ensuring that every child has the
opportunity to reach their full potential, irrespective of socioeconomic background.
5. Propose a Solution and Outline Its Benefits
Solutions:
● Increase salaries and offer timely payments to make teaching in government
schools an attractive profession.
● Launch nationwide teacher training programs to upskill current educators.
● Improve school infrastructure to create a conducive teaching environment.
● Provide incentives such as scholarships, career growth opportunities, and
recognition awards for outstanding teachers.
● Reform teacher recruitment policies to prioritize merit and address vacancies.
Benefits:
● Enhanced quality of education in government schools.
● Improved student outcomes, leading to better career opportunities for
underprivileged children.
● A more equitable education system that narrows the gap between private and
government schools.
● Long-term societal benefits, including reduced poverty and improved literacy
rates.
Theory of change
Inputs Processes Outputs Outcomes Impacts
Inputs include The activities will The outputs will The outcomes will The program will
funding from involve outreach to include the include the number of improve education
CSR and raise awareness and increased number teachers placed into quality, enhance
government engage communities, of teachers trained, sustained teacher skills, and
schemes, provide advice and schools supported, employment or create sustainable
volunteers, guidance through volunteers engaged, self-employment, the teacher recruitment
teacher training workshops and successful number of regular models. It will also
programs, digital mentoring, facilitate placements, and volunteers engaged in empower
tools, community teacher placements in Interactive the program, and the communities,
engagement, and underserved schools, Learning Modules number of schools increase local
policy advocacy. and create Interactive (ILMs) developed, consistently involvement, and
Learning Modules along with the supported. provide
(ILMs) to support number of employment
ongoing teacher community opportunities in
development. members reached. underserved areas.
REPORT OF FIELD WORK
1. Chandrabhaga
I visited the Chandrabhaga slum to volunteer at a kindergarten run by Jeevantirth NGO.
During my visit, I helped the teacher, Kapilaben, create art and craft-based teaching
materials (TLM) like animal cutouts and flashcards. These were used to teach children
animal names in an engaging and interactive way.
I also assisted Kapilaben during classroom activities, observing how visual aids
captured the children’s attention and enhanced their learning experience. The children
were enthusiastic and quick to participate in activities, showcasing their eagerness to
learn.
Additionally, I observed the NGO’s efforts in providing free nutritious food, such as
sprouts, to the children, ensuring their health and encouraging attendance. This
initiative is vital for their overall development and well-being.
The experience was inspiring and highlighted the importance of education and nutrition
in empowering underprivileged communities. It was a humbling and rewarding
experience to contribute to this initiative, and it has motivated me to support similar
causes in the future.
2.Hanumanpura
I had the opportunity to visit the Hanumanpura slum and volunteer at a kindergarten
operated by an NGO named Jeevantirth. This kindergarten serves as a beacon of hope
for children in the area, providing them with early education and creative learning
opportunities. During my visit, I assisted Rekhaben, a dedicated teacher, in conducting
creative and educational activities that aimed to enhance the children’s learning
experiences.
We began by teaching the children how to cut straight paper strips. This simple yet
effective activity helped improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and
focus. The children showed great enthusiasm as they carefully followed instructions and
completed the task. After this activity, we shifted our attention to preparing Christmas
decorations, including stars and Christmas trees. These decorations, crafted by us,
added a festive and joyful touch to the classroom, creating an environment that the
children found exciting and cheerful.
In addition to the decorations, we also created a colorful parrot and a vibrant chart to
teach the children basic numbers. These teaching materials were thoughtfully designed
to make learning more interactive and visually appealing for the young learners. The
combination of bright colors and hands-on elements captured their interest and made
the learning process enjoyable.
