Community Participation & Environment Building

Community Participation and Environment Building in favour of universalization of elementary education has been considered as major intervention in SSA. The programme encouraged the participation of parents as well as and community in two ways. (i) A set of activities intended to communicate the importance of education and role of parents and community. (ii) Village Education Committee (VECs) to support school activities and organize a variety of programme to motivate and build the capacity of the community. Emphasis is given to community specifically to as parents in providing resource mobilization and in monitoring of quality education. Hence, keeping in mind the underlying objective of SSA to create sense of community ownership through VEC, JEPC has faced various challenges as:-

1. Poor participation of VEC members in school development activities
2. Establishment of community based effective monitoring mechanism
3. Utilization of different grants
4. Proper account keeping and establishing social-audit mechanism
5. Preparation and execution of school development & village education plan

Strategies

Following interventions were initiated by JEPC to achieve the target during 2005-06

Intervention to strengthen the VEC

1. Publication & Circulation of VEC Calendar

VEC is a core management unit constituted in every school for effective functioning of school activities. Hence regular meetings of VEC members are held for implementation of programme successfully. JEPC has published and introduced a calendar for regular monthly meeting of VEC. It helped to implement the community mobilization and empowerment programme under set time frame. In addition to that activity calendar also helps monitoring and also strengthen the system for sustainable community empowerment.  JEPC published and circulated VEC calendar to all district during the year 2005-06 to ensure community participation at school level.

2. VEC Training Module Development Workshop

In  collaboration with of UNICEF Patna, JEPC has developed 4 days VEC training module by organizing state level workshops from 19 July, 2005-23 July, 2005. Module includes following contents:-

1. Intensive mobilization of VEC members  regarding different SSA based programme
2. Skill development of VEC members for school management
3. Awareness building among the students regarding water and sanitation programme.

3. Capacity Building Training of Component Incharge & Resource Persons

A state level capacity building training for component incharge and resource person was organized from 17/10/2005 to 21/10/2005 at DIET, Ranchi where 43 persons participated. Training was based on participatory method and objective of the training was to develop training skill among the component incharge and Resource Persons.

4. VEC Training

JEPC has developed 5 days and 2 days VEC training module for the empowerment of community leaders. JEPC with the participation of district level office, massive campaign for VEC training organized at different panchayat and CRC level. During the year 2005-06, 1,09,757 members  received training through the developed modules. 

5. VEC Sammalen

Under the leadership of Regional Deputy Director of  Education (RDDE) in 5 (Five) commissionaires of Jharkhand– North Chhotanagpur, South Chhotanagpur, Kolhan, Santhal Pargana, Palamu, VEC Sammalen in five divisions were organized during May 2005 on following dates:-

1. Ranchi on 25/5/2005
2. Dumka on 25/05/2005
3. Hazaribagh on 27/05/2005
4. Palamu on 28/05/2005
5. Chaibasa on 01/06/2005

VEC representatives from all districts of the concerned commissionary gathered along with where state HRD officials, Minister/Puplic representative's i.e MLA, MP, District administration participated. The objectives of the Sammelen was to make aware them about their roles in school management system.

6. Campaign on Education for All

A state wide massive campaign on "Education for All" was organized at different levels from 24-30 April 2005. During the campaign prabhat-pheri, rallies, village meetings, seminar for environment building were organized by head teachers and VEC of concerned schools. This campaign helped to create environment at school level for universalization of elementary education.

7. Material Development Workshop

A state level workshop on material development regarding awareness generation was organized from 01/09/2005 to 04/09/2005. Materials were developed reflecting various issues in shape of poster, brochure, pamphlet, booklets. During the VEC Sammalen, JEPC distributed these materials to all VECs.

8. Post Card Campaign (Meghdoot)

During year 2005-2006 initative taken by JEPC for printing of 1 Lakh Meghdoot Post cards in association with postal department under media activities. The objective for printing of the Meghdoot post card was to create awareness among the rural mass regarding elementary education and their role in School management.

9. Other Activities during the year 2005-06

Radio Programme "Nava Bihan"

It is a radio Programme developed by JEPC and was aired through AIR to create a feeling of ownership for school among the community and make them aware about the aims and objectives of SSA. A drama "Indru Ka Sapna" with character from village was broadcasted in local dialects.

Advertisement in News Paper

 Following items have been published in local leading Hindi and English daily news papers, magazine, souvenirs for mass awareness building:-

1. Programme achievement.
2. Dissemination of information regarding various grants. 
3. Access of education in unserved habitations.
4. Role of VECs in programme implementation.