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Background
The system
Most Indian children do not understand the subjects well. Nor do they know why they have to
learn. This is because the Indian education system measures children's knowledge from test results ALONE. So, the schools simply prepare the children to score high. There is simply no
time to understand the subject when one has memorize answers for all the questions appeared in the tests for the
previous 10 years and for the "most likely questions" from question banks. Grade 10 (when the child is merely 15 years
old) is THE most important year in an Indian child's life. That year, he/she has to decide what he/she wants to be. And
the scores decide what she/he can be. Not surprisingly, teachers and parents put immense pressure on the kids. Some
schools teach Grade 10 subjects in grade 9 itself and prepare them for the tests throughout the year in Grade 10. Some
schools ask the parents to transfer the children to another school if the child does not get a GPA of 3.5 or above in
grade 9 because they want to get a 100% firstclass in grade 10 (meaning all kids in grade 10 get scores above 75%).
So, the children have no other activity than memorizing answers. The schools that provide extra curricular activities do
not make profits and have trouble getting new enrollments. Kids who ask questions in class are considered "trouble makers".
Since rote learning is the norm, labs are not equipped (or absent). Educational material used is only the text book! The curriculum set by the Indian government is more than 25 years old. Teachers make money by giving extra coaching rather than teaching well in a school. Parents are illiterate or do not know English and therefore, can not help their children with homework. So, they rely on teachers "extra"coaching for an additional fee.
Test grades or scores are usually posted on bulletin boards with students' names rather than their assigned numbers. This makes one's failure public. Children who do not perform well in school tend to drop out rather than getting humiliated by the teachers and other students. Students who fail, commit suicide after the announcement of exam results rather than facing their parents and neighbors. These kids have no opportunity to join another school because the parents rarely move to a different town. Some parents' hopes are their children's future and they can not accept the children's failure (especially because they have sold the house or land and borrowed money to join the child in a English Medium School). They drive the children to depression or death with their nagging.
Adding ot the problem, the medium of instruction in the government run schools (free eduation) is the regional language of that state. However, India has more than 19 languages, and the official language is English. Therefore, those who do not understand English, have little hope of finding a job, even in their own state. So, the parents starve and save so that they can send their children to privately run "English Medium" schools.
The Staff
Teaching profession is taken up mostly by people who didn't get high scores in grade 10 and therefore could not
become doctors or engineers. Also, majority do it for money, not out of passion. Once they become teachers, even if
they want to refresh their knowledge, there are no training programs for them to update their knowledge. Nor are there any tests to measure their knowledge. Besides, children can not give feedback on the teacher's performance.
Performance does not have any impact on their salary. In fact, most claim their salaries are very low and they must give
additional coaching for a fee in order to make their ends meet. So, there is no real incentive for teachers to read up or
teach better! Those who do update their knowledge are not appreciated. Often, the teachers who teach in "English medium" schools can't speak fluent English!
Making the education better involves too many issues.We can't blame the schools because they are doing their best to get great test results.We can't blame the teachers because neither they get any training nor they get good salary. But we know kids are the victims. So, we want to give them what's missing in schools. We want to get them involved in educational but fun activities. Also, we can provide help with the school curriculum by giving detailed lessons with real-life examples so that they actually understand the concepts. And, all this has to be done for free of cost or for an affordable cost. Laxmidevi Kamath Trust provided us computers and more than 300 software programs for this purpose. However, we have to pay rent, salaries, bills and spend on maintenance. So, we charge our students to cover these costs. Currently, we are working on collaborating with schools by offering interesting courses in the weekends. Hopefully, we will be able to make a change in the system some day!
Programs
We teach computer applications, give an introduction to hardware and operating systems, help with internet surfing and
web design. We started teaching digital photography and video editing using software, in Summer 2002. In addition, we teach Spoken English with the aid of software developed by our sponsors. We are using Sc%re, an interactive software, to help children with their school curriculum and to prepare them for examinations. We have Junior Genius
programs to enhance their thinking and analytical skills. We help teachers update thier Math, Science knowledge, refresh English Grammar and improve their English. These programs include edutainment software and software
developed by our sponsors. All of these applications are taught in their native languages for as little as $10 a month!
In addition, we offer eduational summer camps. In 2003, we started Electronics & Robotics Camp. In 2004, we introduced Science camp that included interesting physics/chemistry experiments. In 2005, we will be introducing Dinosaur Camp for younger children and Engineering Camp for older children.
Most of our software is developed/donated by Netgypsy Media Group, New York. In addition, Dr. Carol Karmen and her colleagues from MRA Physicians, New York also have donated some software. Many NRI software developers have offered to develop free software. We hope to expand our facilities and branch out to reach more children and teachers.
How can you help?
At this time we are NOT authorized to accept foreign currency. The donations are tax-exempt in India. However, we
accept donations in the form of old computers, software, books, computer/playstation/gameboy/x-box or any other
systems and games, electronic toys etc. in working condition or in Indian currency. If you are in the New York, USA or
in Udupi/ Mangalore district in Karnataka State, India area, we will pick up your items. There is no better way to
recycle your junk. Everything you donate will make a change in these children's lives. You can also donate your hours
by volunteering as an instructor. If you are interested in starting a branch of e-skool in a town of your interest, please contact us.
Contact Persons:
Vivek Kanchan, Udupi
Our location and hours:
Second Floor, Christa Jyothi Complex, K. M. Marg, Udupi, India. Tel: 08202-536797; E-mail: eskool@indianink.net
Open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ( 1 pm - 2pm lunch break) except Sundays and public holidays.
Copyright
2001-2005, E-Skool, Udupi. All Rights are Reserved.
Maintained by Indianink.net. Sponsored by Netgypsy Media Group, New York