Greetings from Eureka SuperKidz!

A new academic year has begun! The year started with enrolment drives across villages, to get children to re-join Eureka classes this year. In several villages, our teams went door-to-door, meeting parents, and explaining about Eureka classes and their structure. The meetings that we had organized in May, sharing childrens annual learning progress with parents, turned out to be helpful in convincing many to enroll their children in the centers, again this year. Field persons and tutors have been trained, materials have been supplied and classes have begun since July.

Gearing up for a new academic year

The year started with an intensive 3-day residential training program for our field staff, to help them prepare for a new academic year. The training involved both classroom and on-field learning sessions. The participants were trained on goals for the academic year and activities for various subjects to be taught at the centers, in the first quarter. In addition, the training also focused on strengthening their understanding of the philosophy behind our work and the need for such education interventions. The program included sessions by external resource persons on issues like gender inequality, crafts, puppet making and music. These were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Along with this, there were on-field sessions on how to train tutors, how to interact with parents, how to organize meetings, how to organize events, how to mobilize parents and discuss issues in enrolment, attendance and their role in the center etc. The sessions were interactive and involved group discussions and debates on various topics. This gave the teams an opportunity to voice their opinions and give feedback about the program. Following this, tutors in all villages were trained and learning materials supplied. The material kit comprised Tamil, English, Math and Science materials for Std 1-3, Std 4-5 and Std 6-8. This year, we used sturdier materials to ensure that the activity kits last longer. We also distributed bags and stationery to Eureka children in all villages. Tutors are now running daily Eureka classes in all villages using the learning materials supplied.

Special recognition for Eureka children

Adi Dravida schools are schools run exclusively for tribal, SC/ST children. Every year, the Government felicitates students from Adi Dravida schools, who score the highest marks in Std 5 annual exams in their block. The student is given a prize and an opportunity to study in any school of his/her choice till Std 12. Last academic year, Tulasi Raman of Manjakollai village scored the highest at 94% in Bhuvanagiri block. Surya of Manakkaatu village scored second. Both are Eureka students. Tulasi Ramans parents are very happy and had this to say, We thank the Eureka center. Our son started studying very well after joining the center. We plan to enrol him in AKT Kallakurichi School.

An exciting start to the new academic year

PPMottur village had earlier received good feedback from our team. Last year the enrolment was good and so was fee collection. This year, a state team lead by Ravi Shankar wanted to see how things were starting. The team found that enrolment has in fact increased this year. They also noticed that last years skill chart was full of tick marks. So they decided to test the children at random to see if they still retained these skills. They found that almost all children were able to solve the given problems. Was this because of the Eureka intervention? What if they had learned it in school, before even they joined ESK? The team picked Gokul of 5th Std and gave him a few sums to solve. Gokul easily managed to solve fraction addition sums. Fraction addition is not even in the govt school syllabus, so he has learned this in the Eureka center! Similarly, Nethra, currently in 3rd Std, was able to recognize 3-digit numbers, which again is not in the syllabus. So they have learned and remembered! Another exciting part was that some students got all tick marks in their report card - each and every skill in each and every subject! The team also spoke to a few parents, who were very thrilled about their children's achievements.

Community pitches in
The members of Nehru Youth club in Rajakollihalli have donated good story books, including books on Spoken English, for the Eureka centers in their village. When the Eureka center had to be built in Kunnathur, the Panchayat President not only helped with free community land, but also used the existing 100 days employment guarantee scheme (NREGA) to construct the center! Usually the scheme is used to provide jobs in rural areas for laying roads, cleaning water tanks etc. Mr. Jayachandra Mohan grew up in Machanur village. Struggling against all odds, he set up a machine tools factory and is now a successful entrepreneur. A strong supporter of Eureka classes in Machanur village, he had donated more than Rs. 35,000 towards childrens learning!

A special birthday for Tutor Venkatesan

Venkatesan of Pudhukandigai village is a dedicated tutor. He had saved up the fees paid by students and contributed the entire amount towards construction of a learning center. His students adore him. In addition to regular classes, he also teaches the children yoga, sports and dance and takes them on tours. Recently Venkatesan turned 28. He was in for a pleasant surprise from his students! The children from his center decorated the place with colour papers. They presented him a beautiful trouser and shirt worth Rs.1200/- and distributed sweets to everybody. This was their way of expressing their love and respect for someone who cares so much about their learning. Venkatesan gave pencils to all the children to show his gratitude.

Parents decide to get involved

Eureka parents in Perikaruppur village formed an association to address issues related to their childrens learning. At a recent association meeting, the group came up with a list of rules and resolutions. They decided to restrict the use of the local community center only to run the Eureka classes and ensure that miscreants do not use it for drinking alcohol. They also resolved to make lighting arrangements at the center. Interestingly, parents also decided not to use foul words in front of children. It was also decided that all members would attend the monthly meetings without fail and that parents would use the Eureka pre-school learning materials for their little children. Such independent decisions making by parents is a heartening step towards their empowerment.