Jeevanshalas Today

We were turning since 1991-92, Jeevanshalas which currently we have 9 residential Jeevanshalay (7 in Maharashtra and 2 in M.P.), providing primary level education. Only one of these schools is in a rehabilitation colony and is comparatively easily accessible. All other Jeevanshalas are in very remote areas where toilets, electricity, gas and running water in taps are a dream. Fire wood has to be collected regularly.

Today there are 13 Jeevanshalas supporting around 1800 children of which 600 are girls, who would have been left out by the mainstream system. These are residential schools as children cannot climb/walk long distances in the hills on a daily basis.

Recently schools in Maharashtra were granted recognition by the government on the condition that no monetary aid would be granted. However, we were allowed to buy grains at BPL rates for a few years but it stopped soon. The 2 Jeevanshalas in M.P. have no such provision. Narmada Navnirman Abhiyan struggles to provide a nutritional diet to the children and staff along with basic requisites.

Attempts are made to ensure that as many children as possible are enabled to continue studies beyond what the Jeevanshalas can provide.

As of now, we have 1800 students plus 52 teachers and 32 other staff such as mavshis (cooks) and kamathis (helpers) who look after the running of these residential schools. One senior teacher (assistant) is appointed as the Headmaster in each school.

As of today, almost 1600 (of which 400 are girls) children have been admitted to these schools during this academic year. Efforts are on to open 1 more school in Madhya Pradesh.

There are no grants received from Government schemes. The costs are met in a meager way through local and civil society donations/trusts etc. It was only once that the collector of Nandurbar recommended to a public industry Mazgaon Dock Limited to support Jeevansala’s for food. After 5 months of supply, their officers visited and felt happy about the schools in the interior. They continued support for 2 years. No foreign funds are accepted by NNNA. Children get permission to appear for the Government exam at the end of the 4th class in Maharashtra and after the 5th class in Madhya Pradesh They face various problems in continuing their education beyond the primary level.