CFL

1. CFL Annual Update 2013 12/11/2013

2. Mission • To help people discover the difference between education and schooling. • To discover how education can lead to self-determined, self-disciplined and self-realizing members of society. • To discover how learning can be made personally meaningful and socially responsible. • To support individuals to address the problems of modern day living - critically, creatively, and compassionately.

3. History • Founded in 1982 by GurveenKaur • Started with ~6 children • Current number of children: 13 (last year: 29)

4. Organization Structure • Staff/Paid Positions • Principal/Administrator: GurveenKaur • Teachers • Amit • Dhanesh • Jayasree • 1 Part time teacher (for dance) • Down from 5-6 teachers last year • Housekeeping/cooking • One employee • Flat organizational structure; teachers share all other tasks around the school as well • Board Structure • 13 board members • Full board meeting once a year when the annual report is presented • More informal meetings as necessary (2-3 times/year)

5. Location • Hyderabad, India (Secunderabad) • In a residential area • The majority of their free students come from the migrant labor families that live in the area • They have their own school building with class rooms and a small open area for lunch, outdoor activities, etc.

6. Activities • Children's Education Centre, catering to all sections of society – Primary Activity • Studies in education and related areas. • Publication of Edu-Care, a forum for concerns about education and society • Adult Learning Network – catering to all ages and sections of society • Teacher training (consultancies), Creation of educational resources • Working with government institutions for curricular reforms

7. General Partner Updates • Challenges • Right To Education enforced changes • Significant change for 2013-2014: • Home schooled children’s center – ages 7-14 • 14+ learning center – 2-5 yr program • Large drop in number of children • Will take time to ramp up 14+ student count

8. Changes from 2012 • Home-schooling group about 15-20 students between 7 years and 14 • We welcome children whose parents have decided to home-school their children and are open to enrolling them into our alternative education centre - aware that we are not a recognized school. • 14+ group about 12-15 students initially and subsequently 15-20 students. • Teenagers and young adults who opt for and whose parents consent to an alternative form of education - with some understanding of what the choice entails. • We would be happy to accommodate some of the dissenting youngsters labeled ‘misfits’ or ‘rebels’, ‘problem children’ , ‘failures’ as well as drop-outs and opt-outs by the formal, mainstream education system - provided the teenagers and their parents take the effort to understand are open to our philosophy and willing to abide by our rules. • We will work towards a ratio of 60% girls and 40% boys and 30% Privileged and 70% under-privileged children - though initially we will not be in a position to choose and ensure that ratio but we will move towards as soon as we have the numbers.

9. 14+ Program - Concept • The core components of the program will be: • Self: Learning to be more self-aware, self-realizing, self-regulated, self-critical, self-disciplined and responsible. • Society: Examining values, norms, standards, prejudices, biases, rights and responsibilities, rules and regulations, the power equations within society… • Foundational knowledge & skills: Acquiring proficiency in foundational skills of language and math and the ability to reason /think independently and critically, develop basic practical skills and acquire foundational knowledge (or the basics of science and socials). • Exploring personal interests and different career/livelihood options through link-up with different academic, professional or vocational professionals and work-places that will enable the teenagers to make informed and fulfilling career choices • Plus certification (if desired) through distance education courses by enrolling and appearing as private candidates at recognized state and national boards/universities

10. 14+ Program - Plan • Stage One: Year One • Evolve an improved and meaningful education program and work out the detailed curriculum along the considerations listed above for the 14+students. • We will continue to work with the -14 age group as we’ve done so far and work out an integrated approach across the two age groups. • Identify core team members and link up with resource groups/persons we can work with for exploring career and/or apprenticeship options. • Reach out to parents and enroll children into the program – work out ways of doing this. • Stage Two: Year Two, Three, Four • Run the pilot program for the first batch • After the first trial run for a group of 12-15 students effect changes/corrections in curriculum design. • Decide about recognition/affiliation at this point. • Stage Three: Offer the program for batches of 14+ students

11. 14+ Program - Budget • Core team salaries • Assisting staff salaries • Resource persons and/or mentor/partner organization compensation • Rent (+water, electricity, furniture and fixtures…) • Services (phone, internet access, etc.) • Facilities (library, computers, workshops… ) • Travel and conveyance for core team and students • Material costs (paper, art & craft material, some gardening and carpentry tools, computer peripherals,…) • Scholarships/stipends for deserving students – especially girls • Board and lodging for deserving students • Administration costs • ???

12. 14+ Program - Outcome • Immediate benefit/impact: • An education model for the 14+ that is stimulating, personally meaningful and socially responsible. • A syllabus that is holistic, integrated, not alienating and therefore invokes a higher motivation and better attitude to learning. • Better informed choices and more realistic career options/aspirations • Improvement in basic academic skills and acquisition of basic practical skills • Reduction in dropouts amongst under-privileged students – particularly girls • Option/Direction for the ‘stragglers’ and the opt-outs • Expected Outcomes: • Teenagers and young adults would be relieved from a relentless regimen of tedious, torturous tutorials/tuitions following the day long classes studying seemingly boring and meaningless syllabus • Preparing students who are more self – regulated and self-disciplined, who are competent, self-motivated individuals and who are also responsible, concerned citizens • Parents would be comforted that their children are happy, better motivated, capable of making informed career choices regarding their future and get a recognized certificate • There will hopefully be less un-motivated, incompetent and unemployable workforce and apathetic, indifferent citizens in society and this will then have some ripple effect in transforming education of teenagers in the country.

13. Current Enrollment • 14+ - 3 students • 14- - 10 students • 2012 – 29 students (down from 55-60 in prior years)

14. Budget • Refer to Budget xls

15. Audit Report • Refer to Audit report

16. Asha, Seattle Involvment • Our chapter’s support – Rs2,20,480 per year • Funding has been recurring since 2007 • ~25% of their annual expenses • Goes towards teacher’s salaries • Provides them stability of funding (we are the largest donor and 2nd largest source of funds) • Sole Asha chapter funding them

17. Site Visit Report

18. Asks for Asha Seattle • Approve 2013 amount including maximum allowed inflation increase • 4% = Rs2,29,300 • Re-evaluate project funding needs (including a potential increase) in 2014 • Based on changes in how they function as a school and organization, enrollment, etc.

19. Asks for Asha Seattle • Approve sending additional personal donation via Asha Seattle to support the organization • Will contribute $1000 (+$1000 match) annually above current contributions to Asha Seattle

20. Process Checks

21. Questions?