Education in the tribal parts of the state is as worse as it gets. Let alone having proper infrastructure, even teachers are not available in certain schools. To change this ARTS a NGO from Srikakulam took up the noble task of simplifying the teaching techniques for these students. About 9.58% population of Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh are Tribals alone who live in remote, hilly areas. The average literacy rate here is sadly only 59%, which is the root cause of major problems existing here.
Despite limited resources, a group of volunteers strive hard to ensure that the kids have access to quality education. Chandra Kanth Katta explores the difference these dedicated workers are making to the lives of the tribal children there. The low levels of literacy are attributed to high dropout rates. This can also be attributed to their difficulty in understanding the medium of instruction as it is mostly in Telugu.
In 2010, an international NGO introduced the concept of "Back to Basics" a concept to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the schools with support of ARTS. Accordingly, 82 government primary schools in Kurupam, Gummalakshipuram, and Jiyyamvalasa mandals were identified and provided with a volunteer who would work with the teachers. Based on the assessment of the student, they provide special attention to the children who fared average and below average.
They developed a easy method of understanding for children using the locally available resources. They developed low cost teaching and learning material which made it easy for the child to understand the basics. As the constant effort put in by the volunteers turned out successful, the children who once shied away from school now started attending regularly. The results are very encouraging. Many students expressed their happiness on this project which shows the success of this NGO’s honorable efforts.
