Overview of program
The Learning Assistance (LA) program is designed to support the educational and personal development of children in rural and costal area of Amreli district, particularly those from migrant families and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We are currently running 5 learning centres to address the crucial issue regarding poor learning outcomes of students. We want to expanding our LA centres to address significant barriers to education and improve learning outcomes for children.
Background
Many children in rural Amreli district face critical challenges that hinder their educational progress, including:
• Limited Parental Support: Parents often lack time to assist with their children’s learning due to work obligations.
• Irregular School Attendance: Children frequently miss school to help their parents.
• Resource and Technology Deficiencies: A lack of educational resources and updated technology impedes learning.
• Child Labor: Economic pressures force children to work, compromising their educational opportunities.
• Migration Issues: Many children are seen migrating as their families migrate on a constant basis for their livelihood resulting in gaps in knowledge and skills of children's education.
• Basic Skill Deficiencies: Many primary school students struggle with fundamental math and writing skills.
• Low Hygiene Awareness: Lack of awareness around personal hygiene further affects students' well-being and learning.
To address these issues, we initiated LA classes in September 2020 in Bhankodar, Bherai, Kovaya, jasvantgadh and Mota Machiyala. Our goal is to enhance educational engagement and support the holistic development of children through volunteer-led mentoring activities.
Objectives
• Enhance Educational Outcomes: Improve children’s academic performance and knowledge retention.
• Increase School Attendance: Encourage regular school attendance through engaging learning methods.
• Promote Hygiene Awareness: Foster good hygiene practices among students.
• Support Migrant Families: Provide consistent educational support for children from migrant families.
• Build Community Engagement: Involve parents and the community in the educational process.
Proposed Actions
• Expand LA Centres: Establish five additional LA centres in identified need-based areas to reach more children.
• Engaging Learning Methods: Continue to implement innovative teaching strategies, including:
1. Educational games and activities
2. Role-playing exercises
3. Visual aids to enhance understanding
• Community Workshops: Organize workshops for parents to raise awareness about the importance of education and hygiene.
• Resource Acquisition: Secure educational materials and technology to support effective learning.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assess the progress of students and the impact of the program on their educational outcomes.
Impact
Since launching the LA program, we have successfully improved the educational standards of 332 children, who are now aligned with age-appropriate syllabi. Increased interest from both children and parents has led to regular attendance, highlighting the program's effectiveness. With further support, we aim to enhance our program villages to work with more students and help them to increase in their learning outcomes.
The expansion of the Learning Assistance program is crucial for empowering children in rural Amreli with the education they deserve. By addressing the barriers, they face and providing targeted support, we can help them achieve academic success and improve their overall well-being. We invite stakeholders to collaborate with us in this initiative and make a meaningful impact on the lives of these children.
