Executive Summary
This policy outlines a framework for addressing systemic challenges in government schools in Mysore. Catering primarily to economically marginalized communities, these schools face issues such as declining enrollment, inadequate infrastructure, overworked teaching staff, and limited inclusivity. This initiative aims to empower these schools by improving enrollment, fostering inclusivity, supporting teachers, and advocating for systemic improvements.
Through a collaborative, co-creative approach, the program emphasizes stakeholder engagement, community participation, and learning from successful models across the state and nation. It aims to create a sustainable framework for transforming government schools into thriving centers of learning, accessible to every child regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Vision and Mission
The program envisions a future where government schools in Mysore are vibrant, inclusive hubs of education that nurture the potential of every child. It aligns with the mission to empower these schools through strategic interventions addressing systemic challenges, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring long-term sustainability by collaborating with key stakeholders.
Rationale
Government schools are a cornerstone of accessible education for marginalized communities, but they face significant systemic issues. Enrollment numbers are declining due to perceptions of poor quality and competition from private institutions, further reducing resource allocation and straining infrastructure. Many schools lack the basic facilities needed for conducive learning, and overworked, underpaid teaching staff are unable to adequately meet the needs of their students.
Children with diverse learning needs, particularly those with disabilities, are often excluded due to a lack of resources and awareness. Economic pressures further exacerbate dropout rates, limiting students’ access to higher education or employment opportunities.
Despite these challenges, recent renewed community efforts, coupled with the dedication of educators, have shown promise in revitalizing government schools. This program seeks to build on these efforts, addressing key challenges through collaboration with stakeholders, advocacy for improvements, and learning from successful educational interventions across the state and nation.
Strategic Objectives
1. Strengthen Enrollment: Identify and address barriers to student admissions, including financial constraints and accessibility issues, to increase enrollment rates.
2. Advocate for Infrastructure Improvements: Mobilize advocacy campaigns for cost-effective enhancements to school facilities, including classrooms, sanitation, and digital resources.
3. Empower Teachers: Mobilize training programs, provide resources, and reduce the administrative burden on teaching staff to improve morale and performance.
4. Foster Inclusivity: Create equitable learning environments with special attention to children with learning disabilities and other underserved groups.
5. Enhance Stakeholder Engagement: Foster trust and active participation among parents, community leaders, and NGOs to create a collective sense of responsibility.
6. Monitor and Evaluate Impact: Establish systems to regularly track progress through transparent data collection, stakeholder feedback, and community-driven evaluations.
7. Promote Scalability: Develop a model that can be adapted and replicated across other regions by integrating lessons from similar projects statewide and nationally.
Stakeholder Engagement Framework
Stakeholder engagement will be a cornerstone of this initiative, ensuring that all voices are represented and valued in the program’s design, implementation, and evaluation. Key steps include: