VEDANTA KHUSHI - TIMES OF INDIA - ONLY 3% UNDER-5 KIDS ON PROPER DIET

Rosamma Thomas I TNN I April 7, 2017 I Jaipur

As Rajasthan celebrates the World Health Day on Friday, malnourishment among children has cropped up as a big problem area that needs to be addressed without any delay.

To mark the occasion, the NGO, Child Rights and You (CRY), released data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2016-17) (see graphic) in which the state has emerged as a definite laggard, with only 3% of the under-five children receiving "adequate diet", defined as breast-fed kids receiving a minimum of three feeds and others getting milk or milk products at least twice a day.

One study shows that malnutrition is so widespread that mothers have failed to recognize it.

In early 2015, after screening 12 lakh children, the government had identified over 4,000 of them as 'severely acutely malnourished' (SAM).

A rapid survey by the women and child development department and UNICEF found over 35% of the under-five children as malnourished, with the largest number reported from Baran, among Sahariya tribals.

In a paper published in Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) in August last year, Pavitra Mohan, Kumaril Agarwal and Priyanka Jain pointed to the "normalization" of malnutrition in Rajasthan. Over 60% of the mothers who claimed their children were normal were wrong as their kids were malnourished.

Economist and Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton has pointed to poor sanitation and infections as eroding nutrition levels in India.

Besides, the children's diet lacks protein and fat. Malnutrition leaves them vulnerable to disease and early death. According to NFHS data, 41 babies from every lakh die in the state and 51 do not survive beyond the age of five.

The EPW paper, based on research done in the southern districts of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banwara and Rajsamand, with a high tribal population prone to out-migration, showed that about 20% of the mothers from nearly 500 households surveyed reported the loss of a child.

The authors found that "only about 28% of the children consumed milk. Almost none of them had consumed egg, meat or fish over the last 24 hours. Fewer than 10% reported consuming appropriate and nutritional food items such as 'daliya' (porridge), rice, pulses and vegetables or fruits, and even those had it in small quantities. A significant proportion of children were given tea, biscuits and and 'namkeen' (fried snacks)". One mother reported that she only bought milk when the child fell sick. "Otherwise, we cannot afford milk."

Fifty-eight per cent of the mothers studied by the EPW authors were malnourished as well, struggling to cope with the heavy demands of motherhood and housework.

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Trupti Rane of CRY said, "Malnourishment in early years is directly linked to maternal health. Poorly nourished, expecting and lactating mothers pass on their deficiencies to the child. Having newborns breastfed within the first hour of birth is critical for baby nutrition. Colostrum (the first milk of the mother), extremely rich in nutrients and antibodies, ensures basic nutrition and immunization. Universalization of anganwadi centres and robust growth monitoring measures can lead to a lasting solution of this issue."

The article also pointed to the failure of government provisioning - only a fourth of the people studied sought healthcare from a public facility.

"Nutritional support offered by PDS remains low, both due to poor functioning and the scheme being limited to grains and sugar (with no pulses or oil)," the authors note. Only 3.6% of women reported working under the MGNREGA scheme.

Chhaya Pachauli of NGO Prayas said, "Both public health and ICDS infrastructure are in awful shape. Outreach services and counselling which could go a long way in preventing malnutrition are hardly prioritized. Government may introduce endless schemes, but until there's a boost in budget for health and nutrition, not much improvement can be expected. Efforts to strengthen health, nutrition, sanitation and PDS need to go hand in hand."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/only-3-under-5-kids-on-proper-diet/articleshow/58057402.cms

VEDANTA KHUSHI - INAUGURATION OF KHUSHI CENTRES AT RAJSAMAND

Honourable Minister for WCD madam Smt. Anita Badhel Ji and Minister PHED Madam Smt. Kiran Maheshwari Ji launched the Khushi centres at Rajsamand on 11th July, 2016. About 600 Khushi centres became active.

A KHUSHI DATE WITH CHILDREN OF BEDAVAS

Over 125 children of different age-groups gathered around us to horde the basic items we brought for them towards their hygiene. A set of toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and soap was all that took for them to ascend in huge numbers”, Devika Gupta a member of Khushi Group

If I ask you, ‘What is the most important thing to you?’ The answers would range from family, well-being, good health, contentment and happiness. The one thing which is not a mainstream priority in our check list but is something that is omnipresent, for which all of us are running is - happiness. How you interpret happiness and how others might can be completely different while the essence of it remains the same.

‘Khushi’, literally translated as happiness, is an initiative by Hindustan Zinc, a company of Vedanta Group, which is aiming to spread smiles in deprived and underprivileged children. Other than inciting beaming faces, it also realizes the importance of the age old saying – ‘health is wealth’. Building up on the three most important pillars for a child’s welfare, Khushi believes in ‘health’, ‘nutrition’ and ‘education’ to such children.

India is a home to a third of the world’s total malnourished children and also houses 18 million kids who work on the streets. In such an unfortunate scenario, with such enormous and harrowing statistics ogling at us, there remains little hope that gives us solace for a better condition of these kids who are a part of the country’s future. Though India might be a growing economy with progressively emerging riches in the society, it still has around a fifth of the population below the poverty line that can barely afford minimum means of subsidence. That being said, I do not mean to bring you down or make you feel guilty, but to draw your attention to those who do not and might never get a chance to enjoy the lap of luxury that we intend to.

Now in our daily lives with busy schedules, where we are working hard and saving up for the future and our children, we do feel for those who cannot afford it. Here is where project Khushi steps in. It is said that ‘charity begins at home’, thus Khushi decided to spread happiness in a slum called Bedavas in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Over 125 children of different age-groups gathered around us to horde the basic items we brought for them towards their hygiene. A set of toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and soap was all that took for them to ascend in huge numbers. These kids were overjoyed to see us and could not wait 2nd July which is when the nutrition and education aspect would be taken care of by distributing fruits and teaching the kids to write their name.

2nd July is now enthusiastically awaited.

A KHUSHI DATE WITH CHILDREN OF BEDAVAS

“Over 125 children of different age-groups gathered around us to horde the basic items we brought for them towards their hygiene. A set of toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and soap was all that took for them to ascend in huge numbers”, Devika Gupta a member of Khushi Group

If I ask you, ‘What is the most important thing to you?’ The answers would range from family, well-being, good health, contentment and happiness. The one thing which is not a mainstream priority in our check list but is something that is omnipresent, for which all of us are running is - happiness. How you interpret happiness and how others might can be completely different while the essence of it remains the same.

‘Khushi’, literally translated as happiness, is an initiative by Hindustan Zinc, a company of Vedanta Group, which is aiming to spread smiles in deprived and underprivileged children. Other than inciting beaming faces, it also realizes the importance of the age old saying – ‘health is wealth’. Building up on the three most important pillars for a child’s welfare, Khushi believes in ‘health’, ‘nutrition’ and ‘education’ to such children.

India is a home to a third of the world’s total malnourished children and also houses 18 million kids who work on the streets. In such an unfortunate scenario, with such enormous and harrowing statistics ogling at us, there remains little hope that gives us solace for a better condition of these kids who are a part of the country’s future. Though India might be a growing economy with progressively emerging riches in the society, it still has around a fifth of the population below the poverty line that can barely afford minimum means of subsidence. That being said, I do not mean to bring you down or make you feel guilty, but to draw your attention to those who do not and might never get a chance to enjoy the lap of luxury that we intend to.

Now in our daily lives with busy schedules, where we are working hard and saving up for the future and our children, we do feel for those who cannot afford it. Here is where project Khushi steps in. It is said that ‘charity begins at home’, thus Khushi decided to spread happiness in a slum called Bedavas in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Over 125 children of different age-groups gathered around us to horde the basic items we brought for them towards their hygiene. A set of toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and soap was all that took for them to ascend in huge numbers. These kids were overjoyed to see us and could not wait 2nd July which is when the nutrition and education aspect would be taken care of by distributing fruits and teaching the kids to write their name.

2nd July is now enthusiastically awaited.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - TIMES OF INDIA - GOVT SETS TARGET FOR CHILD IMMUNIZATION

TIMES OF INDIA

28th December, 2014

In a bid to accelerate immunization coverage, the health ministry has set a target of over 5% to vaccinate children every year.The ministry has launched `Mission Indradhanush' to cover all children who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.
In 2009, immunization coverage was estimated at around 61% and by 2013 it increased to 65%, indicating only 1% increase in coverage every year.

“The Mission mode has been adopted to achieve target of full coverage by 2020,“ health minister J P Nadda said.

The mission logo, depicting the seven colours of the rainbow, was launched on Good Governance Day to mark the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Shri Madan Mohan Malaviya and birthday of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In the first phase of the mission, the ministry has identified 201 high focus districts in the country with nearly 50% of all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children. “These districts will be targeted by intensive efforts to improve the routine immunization coverage,“ Nadda said. Of the 201 districts, 82 districts are in just four states of UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as nearly 25% of the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children of India are in these 82 districts of four states.

Under the mission, the ministry plans to conduct four special vaccination campaigns between January and June 2015 with intensive planning and monitoring of these campaigns.

According to Nadda, the learnings from the successful implementation of the polio programme will be applied in planning and implementation of the mission.

While 201 districts will be covered in the first phase, 297 will be targeted for the second phase in the year 2015.

The ministry will also seek technical support from WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other donor partners.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - TIMES OF INDIA - 80% IN RURAL INDIA DON'T GET REQUIRED NUTRITION

TIMES OF INDIA
27th December, 2014

In the past two decades, India's eating habits have changed but the nutritional level seems to be the same, a recent survey has found. Across the board, people are eating less cereals, replacing them with more fat and snacks, beverages and processed foods. Protein consumption has declined in rural areas and remained the same in urban areas.

The average calorific val ue of food consumed was 2,099 kilocalories (Kcal) per person per day in rural areas and 2,058 Kcal in urban areas in 2011, according to the survey report released last week by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO).This is less than the nutritional value in 1993-94, when a similar survey had found the levels at 2,153 in rural areas and 2,099 in urban areas.

The National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, recommends 2,320 Kcal a day for a man aged 18-29 years, weighing 60kg and in a sedentary job. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have nutritional levels that are almost 10% lower than the national average for rural areas while UP, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan have levels 10 to 20% higher, according to a National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) survey .

Another shocking aspect is the huge difference in nutritional intake of the poor and the rich. In rural India, a person belonging to the poorest 10% of population has a daily calorie intake of less than 1,724 Kcal, which includes 45g of protein with protein consumption at about 45g and 24g of fat. At the other end, a person from the richest 10% segment consumes more than 2,531 Kcal every day , almost 47% more than the poor person. A similar chasm can be seen in protein and fat consumption too.

In urban areas, this gap is worse. The poorest people get less than 1,679 Kcal per day while the richest get over 2,518 Kcal each -a difference of nearly 50%.

Almost 80% of rural people and 70% of urban people are not getting the government-recommended 2,400 Kcal per day worth of nutrition, a situation that has very harmful health implications, apart from its sheer inhumanity .

At the national level, daily protein consumption dipped from 60.2g for a person in 199394 to 56.5g in 2011-12 in rural areas and from 57.2g to 55.7g in urban areas. Oil and fat consumption increased from 31 to nearly 42g in rural areas and from 42 to 52.5g in urban areas.

The shares of items like fruits and vegetables, dairy products and egg, meat and fish was about 9% in 1993-94 which has marginally changed to about 9.6% in 2011-12.

The only food item that has seen a substantial jump in intake is classified as `other' in the survey and consists of various hot and cold beverages, processed food like chips, biscuits etc. and snacks. In 1993-94 these made up just 2% of a rural person's nutritional intake but rose to over 7% in 2011-12. In urban areas, this was 5.6% earlier and increased to about 9%.

The report also estimates that the survey would have counted food bought and prepared in a household but eaten by visitors or employees. If this is accounted for, calorific values get reduced by as much as 15-17% in rural areas and 5-6% in urban areas.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - RAJASTHAN PATRIKA - ARTICLE ON MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN - 19TH SEPTEMBER, 2014

VEDANTA KHUSHI - RAJASTHAN PATRIKA - ARTICLE ON MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN - 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2014

VEDANTA KHUSHI - RAJASTHAN PATRIKA - ARTICLE ON MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN - 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2014

VEDANTA KHUSHI TEACHER'S DAY AWARD ARTICLE IN DAINIK BHASKAR - 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2014

VEDANTA KHUSHI TEACHER'S DAY AWARD - 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2014

VEDANTA KHUSHI WALK - 4TH SEPTEMBER, 2014

VEDANTA KHUSHI - BUSINESS STANDARD - PUNISH PARENTS FOR FORCING KID INTO CHILD LABOUR, HC TOLD

IANS  |  New Delhi  August 16, 2014

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the central government on a plea seeking directions to prosecute parents who force their minor child into the labour market.

A division bench of Justice G. Rohini and Rajiv Shah Endlaw issued notice to the labour ministry and ministry of woman and child welfare and fixed Oct 29 as the next date of hearing.

The court was Wednesday hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocates Anu Mehta and Rubinder Pal Ghumman seeking formulation of guidelines for handling cases of child labour to ensure that every offender, including a delinquent parent, be dealt with sternly.

The plea said guidelines were required to create a state of 'zero tolerance' to stop child abuse.

"Children are immature, tender and incapable of guarding in situations of economic and physical exploitation as they lack the understanding, maturity and strength to protest against exploitation wrecked at the hands of parents," it said.

It also sought measures and comprehensive mechanisms to deal with child-related laws and crime against children as, the advocates claimed, there was an inherent flaw and lacunae in the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and Children (Pledging of Labour) Act.

No punitive action was directed against erring parents who actively exploit their children, the advocates contended.

"State mechanism must be created to investigate the role of parents in child abused otherwise the government will not be able to reach the root of the problem and the recovery of children subjected to trafficking will be re-routed to the erring parents," the plea said.

It said it has been seen in a growing number of cases that parents actively push their minor children into the labour market, acting with collusion with exploiters and child traffickers and thus have "active role in participation in perpetrating crimes towards their own children".

View the Link:- http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/punish-parents-for-forcings-kid-into-child-labour-hc-told-114081600553_1.html 

Vedanta Khushi - Raju Banega Gentleman

Raju, a small child of about 7 years old, living in a place in district Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was always on lookout of some mischief.  His father has a small tea-stall on the road-side.  His mother also helps in tea-stall during rush hours. Raju has a sister about 4 years younger to him.

Both brother and sister go to school.  Raju goes for formal school and the younger sister in the play school, rather a nearby house where the land lady has organized some toys, few playful activities and refreshment to attract children.  Accordingly, she charges a nominal amount and that has become a source of livelihood for her.

Raju does not like coming to his father tea-stall and he wants to become a teacher like his maths teacher who comes in a motor-bike and wears good clothes and has a concrete house. Raju lives in a small hut shaped house that gives passage to water when it rains.

Raju father’s does not want him to study further as he feels that he should handle the tea-stall as early as possible. Thus every day he forcibly makes Raju sit in small shop and calculate the daily sales. His father also sometimes asks him to serve tea to customers which Raju just hates.

Many times Raju has told his parents that he does not want to do this work and wants to concentrate in studies and become a teacher.  But his parents would not listen.  One day his father slapped him and scolded him and threatened him that he would not send him to school from tomorrow if he refuses to sit on the tea-stall.

Next day Raju decided to inform his school Principal about all what happened. He even cried and told his Principal that he would run away from house if his father kept insisting this. That night he did not go home and stayed at the house of his Principal. Principal sent a message to Raju’s father that his son would stay with him tonight and he should meet him next morning. Next morning Raju’s father went to meet the Principal. Principal scolded his father and told him that he is on the side of Raju and that he should not ask Raju to sit in his tea-stall. He also informed him that if he continues to do so he would be destroying the future of Raju. The father understood that the matter was serious and is not mere a child’s ego.

He promised the Principal that from now he would only encourage his children to study and not involve them into tea-stall work. He also promised that Raju can study as much he wants and one day “Raju Banega Gentleman”.

Become a member of "Khushi" : www.facebook.com/groups/vedantakhushi

VEDANTA KHUSHI - HINDUSTAN ZINC ADOPTS 152 RURAL SCHOOLS IN RAJASTHAN TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE

112 schools were adopted earlier and the work is in progress, MoU for additional 40 schools signed today

To improve the infrastructure in government run rural schools Hindustan Zinc today signed the MoU with the District Education Department, Government of Rajasthan to adopt another 40 Government schools, including Girls’ Schools in Udaipur District, covering Udaipur City(10), Zawar(12), Maton(8) and Debari(10) areas.  The company had recently adopted 112 government schools in Bhilwara(72), Chittorgarh(20) and Rajsamand(20) to improve infrastructure facilities in these schools. 

The infrastructure work in these schools is already in progress.With signing of MoU to improve infrastructure in 40 schools in Udaipur, Hindustan Zinc shall be improving infrastructure in 152 schools with a cost of over Rs. 5 crore.

Many studies have pointed out that in order to improve the enrollment in government run schools, there is a dire need to improve the infrastructure, which includes not only repairs of the building but also sitting facilities, black-boards, electricity fittings and teaching aids. 

Through this project, Hindustan Zinc is providing basic infrastructure facilities like construction of boundary wall, class rooms, labs, installation of hand pumps, ceiling fans, coolers, construction of toilets, playground and furniture. Besides, scholarships to meritorious students will also be given and to keep up the green belt in schools, special plantation drives would be conducted.

UNICEF report has also stated that in rural Rajasthan, the female literacy is about 42 per cent. The sharp drop in secondary school attendance, particularly among girls is because of no drinking water facilities, lack of separate toilets for girls, no proper teachers, improper infrastructure etc. which is a matter of concern and requires immediate action.The company had two years back launched a social media campaign "Khushi" which brought out the issue of infrastructure improvement in schools in several on line debates and discussions. 

Taking the campaign forward, Hindustan Zinc decided to improve the infrastructure and give better facilities to students and improve their education quality."Hindustan Zinc is quite pleased with the progress of the work already initiated in 112 schools and looking forward to complete the work at the earliest. This project under the PPP model is expected to improve the quality of education in these schools", said Pavan Kaushik, Head of Corporate Communication.

To ensure the smooth running of project, a committee has been formed comprising members from HZL and members to be proposed by the District Collector. Based on the need of the school authority and the budget allotted, the project will be executed by Hindustan Zinc, Pavan Kaushik informed further.

Mrs. Krishna Chauhan - DEO(Secondary) thanked Hindustan Zinc for their support in bringing quality education in the government school by way of taking up the project towards improving the infrastructure. Ms. Sushma Sharma - Head CSR, HZL briefed all about the CSR initiatives being undertaken by Hindustan Zinc.  Mr. CSR Mehta - Head Corporate Relations spoke about the necessity to improve the infrastructure in the schools but also emphasized that the project should also monitored by Principals to ensure timely execution. Mr. Bhupendra Jain - DEO(Elementary) spoke about how Hindustan Zinc initiative is improving health and education in schools and has helped these children.

The MoU was signed today by Ms. Sushma Sharma, CSR Head on behalf of Hindustan Zinc and from Education Department by Mrs. Krishna Chauhan, District Education Officer (Secondary) and Mr.  Bhupendra Jain, District Education Officer (Elementary).  Also present on the occasion were Mr. CSR Mehta - Head Corporate Relations, Mr. Pavan Kaushik - Head Corporate Communication, Dr. S.S. Jamrani - Additional Director (Mines), Mrs. Hemlata Manaria - ADEO (Secondary), Dr. Suyesh Chaturvedi - Principal GSSS Gudli, Mrs. Nirja Rodgers - Principal GGSSS Bhupalpura and Mrs. Gauri Jamrani - Principal Ambamata Girls School.

VEDANTA KHUSHI:MAAHI'VES' CONCERN FOR THE STREET CHILDREN

Maahi Vaishnav working tirelessly for the needy children - "Khushi" at his best

It was another day of satisfaction. When you meet some one who strongly relates with "Khushi" and does its bit to ensure some change is brought in society, you tend to know more. 

I met today a very simple girl, engrossed in her laptop, finding new ideas and ways to help the deprived children, particularly street children. We had fixed a time to meet and without wasting a single second she narrated her passion for the campaign "Khushi" and how the campaign has motivated her to take-up child care at the individual level.

Her name is Maahi Vaishnav, Founder of an NGO Maitri Manthan and she does her bit MAAHI've'. This young woman is with high vision and her mission to help as many deprived children. She has been with them, listening to them, listening to their dreams, their thoughts and their needs. She narrates as how she gets inclined to help these children as she sees them. She is against giving money. 

Maahi says, ' giving money will make these children further lazy and beggars. At least they are doing some work today, may be its not right but they are not begging'. Maahi is right. The children on the street are not by chance but by choice. Lack of education, motivation and guidance has made these children, the children of street. She has been counseling their parents to allow these children to study, but, the damage has already been done.

Maahi has also been helping these children with immunization and health attention. She checks with them if their immunization has been completed or not. And the time she finds its not done and their is scope of getting it done, she wastes no time.

I asked Maahi, what motivated her for this concern for deprived children. Maahi replied " when I joined Khushi campaign I realized how important is to do individual efforts in solving this national problem. Government, Companies, NGOs all are doing something, only we are not doing anything. So I decided I have to do something for these children. Today may be I am able to change lives of few, but at least I am doing my bit."

Maahi, you are doing things the Maahi've' (way) and we are proud to have you in "Khushi" group.

Pavan

Vedanta Khushi : “The Missing Milk”

This is a real life incident forwarded by Anu Sharma from Bhilwara, Rajasthan, 

By Anu Sharma

It was the time of winters when I with my children was waiting at the platform for a train to Jaipur which got delayed for an hour or two due to adverse weather conditions. While we were sitting on the bench, a beggar holding her son 1-2 years of age in her arms came to me for the money.

Her son was crying at the loudest pitch and without paying much heed to him, the beggar was busy in collecting sympathy money from us. I got very upset seeing the whole scenario and asked her “he is hungry, why are you not feeding him?”

She said the child has not eaten anything since morning, give me the money, I will buy something for him and then he will be quiet.”

Her reluctant attitude frustrated me. I ignored her, went to the tea stall on the platform, and bought some milk. I gave it to the beggar and asked her to feed him with the milk. She took the milk, kept it in her rugged bag and moved away from my bench while ignoring what I said. Attitude of her infuriated me and before she could go and beg to other people, I stopped her and asked her firmly to give the milk to little child.

With no option left, she handed over the milk to her son. I could see the small child drank it at one go without leaving a single drop. I was happy and satisfied; at least I could fill the empty stomach of one innocent child who does not know what fate has in store for him. Will he do the same work that his mother is doing or would go to school, study and do a respectable job?

I know it’s a small beginning and I would have done some more. May be I would have convinced the beggar to work or would have probably asked her to send her child to government Anganwadis. But for now I know I am moving in the right direction, money would have spoiled her even more and perhaps giving the milk would have inspired other passengers to do the same.

Being part of Vedanta’s Khushi campaign, I feel I am contributing to the society at large. My contribution may be small in this mammoth problem, but I could make a small difference…

Be Part of Vedanta Khushi : www.facebook.com/groups/vedantakhushi

25% Schools Function Without Blackboard: Survey

Dear all,

It has always been support of media that helps in building awareness, coming out with different stories highlighting the facts and figures. Vedanta Khushi presenting you yet another story "25% Schools Function Without Blackboard".. reports M Ramya from TNN, Chennai.

25% Schools Function Without Blackboard: Survey

CHENNAI: While tablets and smart screens enter a few classrooms, nearly one-fourth of schools in India function without blackboards.

A sample survey titled 'Learning Blocks' conducted by non-governmental organizationChild Relief and You (CRY) has revealed that primary and upper primary schools in the country do not meet basic requirements expected in an educational institution. The study was conducted in 750 schools across 71 districts in 13 states, including Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka, and three metro cities - Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. 

"School education is synonymous with the blackboard. Education without blackboards cannot be imagined," said Vijayalakshmi Arora, director, Policy, Research, Advocacy and Documentation wing of CRY. 

The study found more than 75% of schools lacked furniture and fixtures like tables, chairs and benches, and in 41% of schools, students were taught in open space. Experts said the reason for teaching outside the classroom could be attributed to poor condition of the classroom, nonavailability of teachers or inadequate number of classrooms. In the absence of a boundary wall, teaching outside the classroom could distract children and cause disturbance while teaching. 

The study also rates our schools poorly on hygiene. While 11% of schools don't have toilets, and of those available 34% are unusable, almost one of two schools doesn't have water near toilets. In the north, almost 70% of schools did not have water near toilets. And, half the schools do not have soap near toilets for children to wash their hands after using the toilet. Healthcare experts advocate hand-washing after using the toilet to ensure that children do not fall prey to diseases like diarrhoea. 

Another area of concern is that close to 80% of schools surveyed did not have cleaning staff to keep the toilets clean. The study also found that only 7% of schools with a large number of tribal children have cleaning staff. "Lack of cleaning staff in schools indicates that children are forced to study in unhygienic surroundings. It also means that children are asked to do the cleaning. Experience shows that these tasks get assigned on social group basis," CRY said. 

About 44% had no electricity, particularly in schools in the east where almost 74% schools did not have electricity. The CRY release said, "Availability of electricity in schools can open a completely new world of possibilities. Besides, ensuring well lit rooms and keeping children in comfort it can also provide computer aided learning and web-based learning." 

The study also found that three years after the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 came into force, schools across the country still did not meet the mandatory requirements. 

Shortfalls: 

— 11% schools don't have toilets 

— 49% have common toilets for staff and students 

— 20% don't have drinking water 

— 18% don't have a designated kitchen to prepare midday meals 

— 74% schools don't have a library 

— 60% don't have playgrounds 

— 66% demanded proof of previous studies and 46% asked for transfer certificate 

— 9% did not have school management committees, and in 53% of the schools they were not involved in monitoring use of grants 

— 21% of primary schools and 17% of upper primary schools reported involvement of teachers in activities other than teaching 

— 28% primary schools and 31% upper primary schools did not have principals 

Source Times of India : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/25-schools-function-without-blackboard-Survey/articleshow/21906707.cms