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The boys from Sitamarhi’s Gyanshala programme have done us
proud and collected Rs. 12,000 for the ASER assessment to be
conducted in their area. The Gyanshala programme are
Pratham’s learning centres for rescued child laborers from
urban agglomerations, who with the permission of their
parents are staying in these residential camps where they
are educated and trained for basic life skills. They have
gladly shared their experience with us and sent us this to
read -
We collected money from local shopkeepers, landlords and
other acquaintances and whosoever came into contact. We had
not fixed any minimum amount for them to contribute but just
got them acquainted with our Gyanshala programme and ASER -
what is ASER, why do we do this kind of survey, who conducts
this and what is its relevance etc. Most of them were
convinced and appreciated the efforts. Some people came to
our gyanshalas and browsed through the pages of ASER reports
of the past two years (most of them looking for the status
of their own village, block, district and Bihar on the
whole). As per our strategy we made two copies of our
national reports and 5 copies of Bihar reports available at
every gyanshala. At many places, known shopkeepers
voluntarily involved neighbouring shopkeeprs and requested
them to donate something which was really very motivating.
The amount really didn't matter (as they give in just Rs.10,
20, 50 etc.)
 but their gesture did! What mattered the most
was that they got involved and wanted to know the status of
the school where they send their children to learn. After
their donations, whenever they got a chance, they used to
drop in to our gyanshala to see the reports in greater
detail.
Their reactions used to be against the government and with
great enthusiasm they used to request us and say "Aap log
dekhiye kitna achha kaam kar rahe hain...aapke teachers bhi
isi Bihar ke hain lekin ye log bachhe ko kahan se kahan
pahuncha diye itne kam samay me aur ek vo log hain....Aap
log aise aur bhi school kholiye….padhayee achhi hogi to koi
nahi jayega baahar kaam karne...sab majbooriyo mein jaatein
hai. (Now you only see what good work you people are
doing. Your teachers are from the same Bihar as the other
teachers and you have taken our kids from where to where and
in comparison there are the others who are contrary. You
people should open more schools like these. If the education
is good, nobody will leave and go away outside to work.
Everybody leaves in distress only.”)
When we said that we had no resources, no funds etc. and
told them that we had constraints they reassured us and said
“Ham log aap sabki madad karenge, peechhe nahi hatengey.
Aap apne liye thode hi kar rahe hain..batayiye aapka ghar
yehan se koson door hai aur aaplog yehan kaam kar rahe hain....ye
to ham sabka kaam hai ki aaplogon ki madad karein. (We
people will help you in whatever you do and will not go back
from our word. You are not doing this for yourself. Tell us
how many miles away your village is and you have come from
so far to do this work. This is our work and now our duty
that we help you out.”)
People wanted a piece of the report for their own records.
When we informed them that it cost us Rs.50/ or more to get
a copy published they would shake their heads in agreement
but at the same time came up with alternatives and requested
us to give them access to just one or two pages of the
status of education in their blocks so that they could show
it to their local political leaders, government officials
and teachers. They agreed in unison and said “Bina koi
adhar ke to vo log hamaari baat-e nahi sunte hain
(without proof these people would not listen to their
problems.)”
This experience has truly inspired us to take ASER results
forward right down to every village and inform people about
their basic right to quality education and hope that we can
do so successfully with your support.
- Brajesh Kumar
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