Organization: Penn State University
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 23:13:23 EST
From: <HS8@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: A Slum Dweller's Education Project in Bombay

The riots in Bombay, unfortunately, have demonstrated that slums are a
harsh place for living in Bombay and that life (and death!) in these
slums tend to be cruel.  Few from the safer and saner world outside
venture into these slums in an attempt to change the life of its children and
adults for the better.  One person who for the last 4 or 5 years has been
working on a project for educating children and adults who live in a slum in
the suburbs of Bombay is a teacher I had when I went to High School in
Bombay.  I have described his project below and request that you consider
contributing financially to this effort.  If you decide to contribute please
email me:
     HS8@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
I will send you the address in Bombay where you can mail a check and
information that will enable you to treat this donation as a charitable
contribution in your income tax statement.

A DESCRIPTION OF THIS SLUM-DWELLERS EDUCATION
PROJECT.

The project goes under the name Jeevan Nirwaha Niketan and was initiated
by Noel D'Silva who earlier taught in my high school in Bombay.  Students
come from families whose monthly income is in the vicinity of $25 - $50.
The educational methods used are totally different from those in the formal
system.  They have been shaped according to the particular needs of the
area and have evolved through the years:  The child does not follow a
syllabus.  The syllabus follows the child.  There are no classes to pass or
fail; only subjects to be learned; skills to be developed.  The teacher does
not dictate the pace of learning; the ability of the student does.  The student
is not the only one learning; the teacher has to learn as well -- learn about
the child's environment and culture.  From these insights the teacher has to
plan the program.  There are no lessons to study by rote; only things to be
critically aware of, problems that have to be solved.  The role of a teacher
is not just that of a master, but an activator of the whole community.
Schools are not just schools; they are at various times sewing classes,
employment centers, meeting places -- and they are constructed as such.
There are no "duffers".  Anyone can satisfy his or her own learning need:
to pass the Secondary School Certificate Examination, to set up a Self
Employment Scheme, to work in grass-root NGO's, above all to be
empowered to meet head-on and rise above the forces of oppression and
marginalisation.

It was clear to me, when I visited Jeevan Nirwaha Niketen, that the
teachers used the abilities of the students, their situation and culture to
decide what should be taught.  The teachers were very friendly with their
students and this friendliness went a long way in the process of
empowerment.  Physically, the program is run in a temporary structure of
ten rooms made up of bricks piled one on top of the other.  You can
imagine the classes during the monsoon season.  When it stops raining,
teachers and pupils prefer to sit under the trees with the sky as the canopy.
In my opinion, the school gives its students not only knowledge and skills
but also kindness and caring; because a great deal of exploitation of those
who are extremely poor frequently occurs, kindness and love often come as
a joyful surprise.

Harish Sujan
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian,soc.culture.indian.telugu