BSPES Uttar Pradesh

1. BSPESUttar Pradesh Maulik Nagri Project Steward June 2019

2. Year 2019-2020 Update • Site visit conducted in April 2019 (report link) • 2019-2020 Student Count projected at ~865 (vs. 861 last year) and staff count at ~65 (vs. 61) • BSPES concerned about teacher attrition and teacher training • Site visit completed in April 2019 (see separate slide) • Key project concerns include: • Persistent deficits in the main operating budget for 2019-2020 • Ongoing efforts to bridge deficit gap through private donations; however donors are more interested in funding special projects rather than ongoing operations (projected at INR 34 lacs for 2018-2019 by management) • Certain initiatives include (not included in budget): • Increase fees by 35% or 33% • Charge fees for government mandated exams • Move government application scholarship to families • Discontinue bearing expenses for visitors • Motivate donors to give money for general school operations • Funding deficits are impacting routine maintenance expenses such as supplies and replacing blackboards • Hiring of 2nd super-teacher Ashok Sir has brought academic rigor to the higher secondary standards, similar to hiring Ajay Sir for bringing rigor to primary school • Hiring super teachers is very expensive, but management believes it is the right strategy for the long-term success • Management believes that hiring super teachers with combination of customer service and skills • Current proposal for INR 425,000 for teacher’s salaries for teacher’s salaries

3. Year 2019-2020 Update • Persistent deficits in the main operating budget for 2019-2020 • Ongoing efforts to bridge deficit gap through private donations; however donors are more interested in funding special projects rather than ongoing operations (projected at INR 34 lacs for 2018-2019 by management) • Certain initiatives include to curtail deficit include (not included in budget): • Increase fees by 25% or 33% across the board. Fees have not been raised in 5 years. • Charge fees for government mandated exams • Move government application scholarship to families • Discontinue bearing expenses for visitors • Motivate donors to give money for general school operations • Funding deficits are impacting routine maintenance expenses such as supplies and replacing blackboards • Hiring of 2nd super-teacher Ashok Sir has brought academic rigor to the higher secondary standards, similar to hiring Ajay Sir for bringing rigor to primary school • Hiring super teachers is very expensive, but management believes it is the right strategy for the long-term success • Management believes that hiring super teachers with the combination of customer service and skills is one of the best ways to educate students • Management noted certain issues: • Unwanted political interference in the admission process • New payroll rules may require review or restructuring of operations

4. 2019-2020 Budget • Numbers do not include mitigation measures covered in slide 2 • Fees: Management feels that felt there is a need to stop subsidization that led to entitlement mentality and promote true passion for learning among students. • Salaries: Includes cost of 1 super teacher (Ashok Sir); management continues to believe in investing in the super teachers • Administration: Management stated that infrastructure (blackboards, cabinets, furniture, laptops, etc.) is crumbling and needs urgent replacement

5. Current Pictures School toppers being felicitated by the local IAS officer Children receiving new uniform Sewing classes for students’ mothers

6. Update from Site Visit • Site Visit conducted by Mr. Kamal Deep Yadav and MS. Shankari Singh in April 2019 • These people are acquaintances of Ms. Niti Ydav (Boston Asha volunteer) • Site visitors interacted with students, teachers, principal and the management • Site visitors checked the salary slip together with the banks statement • Note that Asha Boston primarily subsidizes teachers’ salaries for BSPES • Interviewing students, site visitors noted high level of satisfaction and motivation. • Site visitors noted that high turnover amongst new teachers • 8 departures, 10 new hires in the last 12 months • Also, it was noted that infrastructure such as computer labs, kitchen, science labs, etc. is well-organized and clean

7. Site Visit Pictures Mr. Yadav inspecting solar lanterns Meeting Principal Student Assembly Primary children having breakfast