Education of girls in rural India is one of the cornerstone principles at CherYsh. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why CherYsh was founded. Another pivotal program under this principle is the “CherYsh English Shiksha Program.”
The CherYsh English, Science and Maths (ESM) Shiksha Program, in partnership with the Deshpande Foundation and supported by Tata Elxsi’s CSR initiative, empowers rural students aged 10 to 14 in Haliyal Taluk, Karnataka.
Over three years, this initiative has enhanced English proficiency, self-confidence, and essential communication skills among students, enabling them to understand computing technologies, pursue higher education and better opportunities. Partnering with Deshpande Foundation, Hubli (https://detedu.org/skill-in-village/), the SiV is an after-school program for students in primary and upper primary classes (Grade 5-8) of government schools in rural areas to equip them with life skills and English communication skills. Our program model gets embedded in the communities, steadily knitting itself with the various stakeholders—students, parents, School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) members, and village Panchayats.
Overview and Impact
The program targets 30 to 35 students per Shiksha Center, benefiting over 1,000 students annually across 30+ villages and over 20 government schools. In addition to improving language skills, it fosters critical life skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication. Young women from local communities are selected and trained as Learning Facilitators, providing them with respectable, prestigious and sustainable livelihoods.
Major Outcomes
– Improved spoken and written English skills.
– Boosted student confidence and vocabulary.
– Enhanced communication and life skills through interactive activities and workshops.
Program Goals and Objectives
To educate rural students with proficient English language skills, foster confidence, and develop essential life skills, enabling holistic growth and better opportunities. The primary objectives were as follows:
– Enhance Language Proficiency
– Develop reading, listening, and speaking skills.
– Deliver curated language lessons using interactive methods.
– Provide resources like workbooks and audio materials for extended learning.
– Boost Self-Confidence
– Conduct activities that encourage self-expression in English.
– Facilitate group discussions and celebrate student achievements.
– Track confidence improvements through pre-and post-assessments.
– Foster Effective Communication
– Engage students in role-plays, presentations, and peer-interaction activities.
– Provide constructive feedback on communication style and clarity.
– Instil Life Skills
– Organize workshops on critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership.
– Promote teamwork through collaborative projects.
– Enable real-life applications of life skills and monitor progress.
Key Activities
– Language Proficiency
– Conduct baseline assessments and create tailored learning plans.
– Deliver lessons focused on key language components—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
– Self-Confidence Building
– Facilitate judgment-free group discussions and role-plays.
– Recognize progress to boost students’ morale.
– Effective Communication
– Promote oral communication through interactive exercises.
– Encourage peer collaboration and feedback for improvement.
– Life Skills Development
– Host workshops and collaborative activities to teach critical skills.
– Provide opportunities for practical application and track development over time.
Learning Facilitator Development
The program emphasizes the training of Learning Facilitators, with a robust 50+ session calendar supplemented by online modules. Women from local communities are equipped with pedagogy, technology, and subject coaching, transforming them into confident educators while improving learning outcomes for students.
The CherYsh English Shiksha Program is a transformative initiative that bridges educational gaps, empowers students, and uplifts communities. By fostering confidence, communication, and life skills, the program ensures lasting impact for rural children and young women.
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