Asha Delhi 10% Project

1. Asha Delhi 10% Project Execution De-brief of 2009-10

2. Contents • Background: Purpose of the project • Results and Updates so far • Targets for 2009-2010 • Problem faced • Achievements • Additional Initiatives

3. Background • Project kick started on the following grounds • Government allotted land at subsidized rates to 397 schools • There was a 25% quota (now revised to 10%) set for children from economically backward section of the society • The objective was to provide free and fair education • Asha Delhi 10% Project aims at • Get children from EWS admitted into Private schools in Delhi • Bringing about a social churn in the areas the project is working • Creating awareness amongst the common people about their rights • Making the government authorities more accountable and transparent • Ensuring good quality of education for every child by invoking right to education • Conducting research on how the fund is being utilized in government run schools • Motivating the marginalized section of the society to minimize their dependency and   create sustainable systems

4. Execution so far • The project initially (2005 to 2007) covered 3 districts in Delhi - namely, east, north-east and south. • In the Academic Sessions of 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09, a total of 650 students have been admitted in the above mentioned localities. • Stiff challenges kept us motivated and some path breaking measures were taken when a DDE penalized for not providing information (Rs 25,000/- fine) • Changes in the processes of getting children admitted in private schools: Common admission form clause introduced, setting up of Free-Ship cell in Deputy Director Education’s office • Apart from the admissions in Private Schools, it was discovered that many parents were interested in getting children admitted into MCD schools: • The admission process was initiated during 2007-08 • Parents were mobilized and motivated to admit children in MCD schools • 150 admissions have been successfully done for the academic year 2008-09 –150 are apart from EWS admissions • Work towards MCD School Admissions: During the time of admission of EWS we come across with many parent who did not have adequate proofs or who do not want to send their children in Public schools, so those were assisted in getting admission

5. Targets for 2009-10 • Areas to be covered • VasantKunj, VasantVihar, Dwarka: Prakash & Parvati • East Delhi: Ritu • Activities to be conducted • Open ended information session for EWS parents, principals of private schools to discuss various contention points and find solutions. • A meeting was held in the month of January where parents of East, North East & South Districts were invited along with DDE and school principals, only representative of DDE East came to attend this meeting and was very useful discussion was done during meeting. • Creating small committees in the localities, to manage the monetary problem by encouraging them to save money for future needs. • This is being managed and it reflect in the report submitted by Aseem & Chiranjive • To release a list of Private Schools, rating them based on their conduct and acceptance of 10% reservation clause • This is not being done, but trying to get all information on Edu. Website. • Was it already achieved – if yes, what is the target for next year • The targets of this year are to broadbase our reach in Delhi by having more people on board. However this can only be planned once the funds are committed. Else the pace of work will continue as it is with 3 people. This question was also answered in one of Uday’s mail – (copied the mail in the next slide for reference)

6. Minutes of Planning Meeting for next year • We met on Saturday and Sunday to finalise our plan for the next year: • 1. We have not reached where we would have liked to reach. • 2. We have limited resources - 3 people in entire Delhi running this movement. • 3. We have not been able to garner public support to be able to influence the courts wrt the ongoing PIL. • 4. Jul-2010 to Jun-2011, we have to focus on establishing a movement in the entire city • 5. We would only focus on getting mass admissions done, in order to raise the level of awareness in Delhi and to get strong public support for advocacy to the govt and courts • 6. This movement is the last attempt our our team provide impetus towards this clause, which will set the base for Right to Education. • 7. In order to carry out the necessary Delhi-wide impact, we need 7 more dedicated people • 8. Last year we were not able to bring the desired impact due to some miscommunication on the funding from Asha Seattle and we have do with only 3 people else we might have achieved a lot more in this year of execution it self. • 9. Further Process tightening and measurement parameters need to be set up - sort of a program office for tracking and reporting. Uday, Aseem, Chiranjive would prepare templates for the same. • 9. below is the funding requirement. Total funding required Rs 15,52,000. Rs 9000 as the base salary due to increased cost of living in Delhi. (drivers get paid Rs Rs 6000 to 8000 per month today). Please do see the possibility of clubbing our unused funds from this year of execution. • 10. It is important that we have more people this year to raise the game. The funding requirement might be huge, but the impact is also going to be even more. • 11. Reports will start flowing in to Asha Seattle soon.

7. Achievements • In the month of January, conducted an open ended discussion session was conducted with the aim of • Mrs Kumar, in Vasant Kunj tutoring 8 children • Group of Volunteers working with children from Vasant Vihar • Cheque disbursement procedures were relatively streamlined in North East and East Delhi. • Information on budget disbursements on website • All information regarding EWS process: No of schools, no of children admitted, Amount disbursed in a district • Update every 10th of a month • Work on going on vacant seats allocation • Motivated parents to file RTI applications for seeking the status of reimbursements in lieu of Books and Uniforms.122 parents filled an RTI application in East, North East and South West Delhi. As a results students have received the due amounts • Around 80+ RTI application was filed with respective DDEs • Where students are receiving the money from? The parents are being given the cheque for financial assistance sschemes, in South District schools are distributing financial assistance schemes.

8. Problems Faced • Non-cooperative attitude of schools continues • Because of unavailability of funds, project cannot afford additional social activists to expand in other parts of Delhi and possibly a lawyer to handle the court related issues • More awareness has to be created among the educated class so that mass support can be generated. • Could not re-instate the Learning Inq. • Measures need to be identified for the project – keeping all stakeholders view

9. No of Children admitted

10. Additional Initiatives • Collaboration with a group of people in Dwarka to initiate the activity of admissions in Matiyala and near by areas. • Associating with RWA’s to: • Setup book and uniform banks • Identified people interested in providing educational help to children belonging to EWS quota in the form of after school tuition classes

11. Job Description A person involved in the Asha Delhi 10% Project has to own all components of execution listed below • Identification of areas to cover • Awareness of the clause • Identification of students • Document Collection • For Income Certificate • For complying to the clause • Networking with • fee paying parents • Private school principals • Other organizations • Advocacy to the government direct and through courts • Admission Process improvement • Monitoring • Followance of Sec 4 of RTI act in the schools • Children’s progress • How are the levels different? • Regarding compliance of Sec 4 of RTI Act the systems are being in placed gradually and the information is being available on website of edu. Dept. & regd children’s progress the result cards are being monitored regularly