Monday, May 7, 2018

Crossing all the hurdles, children reach the goal.


Brief profiles of ‘Prajna’ team children who had appeared for 
10th standard exam this year.

[The children were not suitable for mainstream schools.  So, they joined Kaliyuva Mane – a free alternative residential school.  All the children passed this coveted exam in English medium. They studied Kannada as first language, English as 2nd language and Samskruta as 3rd language.] 

1.         A child from broken family succeeds  (17 years)

R. Vighnesh, unfortunately, lost his mother during early childhood.  Father did not stay at home for several years.  So, Vighnesh’s paternal uncle gave him shelter.  Vighnesh was admitted to a private Kannada medium school.  Vighnesh’s uncle was an auto driver. It was difficult for him to bring up Vighnesh.  One day, he had come to Kaliyuva Mane with some passengers. He liked the atmosphere of Kaliyuva Mane.  Thus, Vighnesh joined Kaliyuva Mane on 02-10-2010.  He started learning happily and has now passed coveted 10th standard examination.   (Total 70.4%) He has joined special Diploma in Engineering course  (Tool and die making)  Kaliyuva Mane is supporting his post matric education too. 


2.         ‘A girl with special needs’ succeeds (age 17 years,10 months)


Y. Divyashree lost her father at a tender age.  Divyashree’s mother works as an attendant in a school in Andhra Pradesh.  Divyashree’s maternal uncle took the responsibility of bringing her up.  Divyashree was admitted to an English medium private school.  Unfortunately, she could not learn at the expected pace.  But as per RTE norms, children have to be promoted to next higher standard irrespective of learning.  So, she passed 8th standard and was promoted to 9th standard.  Her maternal uncle was not happy with her education.  He admitted her to Kaliyuva Mane in 2014.  At Kaliyuva Mane, she was sent to All India Institute of Speech and Hearing for a psychological assessment.  As per the report dated 07-07-2014, the girl’s IQ was 100 and her academic level was at primary school level.  She had intellectual disability of 60%. She was a student with special needs. A copy of the psychological report is produced below.

Now she has passed 10th standard examinations with flying colours and wants to pursue PUC -commerce. (Total 49.44%)  She is pursuing PUC commerce course.  Her maternal uncle is supporting. 




3.         A school dropout succeeds (16 years and 7 months)

C. Vinod belongs to a village, named Basavanapura.  His parents are illiterates.  His home is not congenial for studies.  Father works as a mason.  Mother works as a domestic help.  The owner of the house, where Vinod’s mother was working, discovered that Vinod was suffering from a serious academic lag.  She advised Vinod’s mother to admit the boy to Kaliyuva Mane. Vinod had passed 6th standard and had been promoted to 7th standard.  At Kaliyuva Mane he was taught using the principle, ‘Known to Unknown’.  Now he has passed 10th standard examination.  He wants to pursue ITI course. (Total 44.32%) He has joined ITI (Automobile course)  Kaliyuva Mane is supporting his education.  


4.         A ‘child with special needs’ succeeds! (age 16 years 8 months)

C.S. Roopesh, belongs to village in Ramanagara district. Both the parents are illiterates.  Parents wanted their child to study in an English medium school.  So, he joined a private English medium school, but was unable to reach the grade.  His neighbours noticed this.  As per the advice of the neighbours, his parents got him admitted to Kaliyuva Mane on 16-04-2014, at an age of 13 years.  After assessing him informally at Kaliyuva Mane, he was taken to All India Institute for Speech and Hearing for a psychological assessment.  As per the report, his IQ was 100, but academic level 4th standard.  He was a student with special needs.    A copy of the psychological report is produced below. Now he has passed 10th standard examination with flying colours.   (59.84%) He is pursuing Diploma in Engg. course in Tumkur.  He is staying in an Ashram. 



5.         Rural 1st generation learner succeeds! (age 15 years 8 months)

N. Kiran belongs to a rural farming community in Gujjegowdana pura on H.D. Kote road.   His parents are not educated. His uncle, a school dropout had passed 10th standard examination from Kaliyuva Mane.   So, on his influence Kiran joined Kaliyuva Mane and studied for a year.  Then his parents shifted him to an English medium convent in their village.  But after a few months, Kiran refused to go there and dropped out.   Kiran joined Kaliyuva Mane again.  This year, he has passed 10th standard examination with flying colours.   (Total 63.36%)  He is pursuing PU course.  Kaliyuva Mane is supporting his studies. 

6.         A ‘child with special needs’ succeeds (16 years 3 months)

V. Prabheesha belongs to a rural BPL family.  Prabheesha was admitted to a private English medium school.  He completed 6th standard but suffered from a severe academic lag, as he could not learn at the expected pace.  He was demoralised too! His parents took him to All India Institute of Speech and Hearing for a psychological assessment. As per the report dated 31-05-2013 (child’s age was 12 years, 3 months) his IQ was 100. His academic level was at Kindergarten. A copy of his psychological report is produced below. His worried parents changed his school and admitted him to a Kannada medium private school.  But he could not reach the grade.  But as per RTE Act, he was promoted to 7th standard.  So, finally he was brought to Kaliyuva Mane.  He is very happy that he could pass this coveted examination. (Total 40.16%)  He has joined ITI course.  He belongs to SC category.  He has got fee concession.




7.         Child labourer’s achievement:  (18 years)

M. Shankar belongs to a rural BPL family.  Parents are uneducated.  They do some odd jobs for a living.  The environment at home is not congenial for studies. Shankar was going to a rural free school.  He was not interested in studies.  Compulsions of life, made him drop out from the school at an age of 11 years.  He started working in a liquor shop. 

Shankar’s sister, a school dropout had passed 10th standard examination from Kaliyuva Mane. She inspired Shankar to join Kaliyuva Mane and continue his studies.  Though he was 12 years old, he started learning from basics with zeal.  He passed 10th std. examinations securing 61% marks.   M/s Krithya Technologies- a software company selected him for training.  He is being paid a stipend of Rs.11000/- in addition to food and accommodation.