PeAk is a small organisation striving to improve primary school education and implementing solar/alternative technologies in the Kumaon Himalayan region (India). In 2013 peAk, funded by the World Nomads Footprints program, provided educational resources in the area.
This project supplied the Khati ‘library’ - that educates approximately 55 primary school age children - with ample educational resources, provided for a community teacher and ensured that the twenty two children at Jatoli School (7km from Khati) have the educational resources necessary for the entire school year.
Furthermore, finances enabled the purchase of computers, printer and laminator for student and general community use.
This multi-faceted project required the usual patience and perseverance, though unlike prior projects, the actual implementation phase was the relatively easy part with the purchase phase proving time consuming. All items required came from as far a field as Australia, Delhi, Almora and Bageshwar (India), with the majority of purchases occurring in the latter two towns, thereby helping local economies. Some transactions - which were innumerable- required a cup of tea and a chat (a given) which makes business a pleasurable affair.
The overall success and subsequent educational outcomes have been exceptional.
Project Outcomes
1. Improve school attendance rates and long term educational outcomes, through provision of
- A community teacher to bring new ideas and skills to the classroom
- 12 months supply of stationary, creative materials, culturally appropriate children’s books and teaching resources
2. Enable computer literacy (a skill base for the 21st century) in school and the community by providing
- Two laptop computers, software and educational DVDs
3. Enable creation of important documentation such as birth certificates, through
- Access to community laptop computers
- A printer and laminator.
Project Location
The villages of Khati and Jatoli are located in the Kumaon Himalaya,
Uttarakhand, India. Khati is the last village in the Pindari Valley
(see marker on map above). Jatoli is in the last village reached via
foot in the Sunderdhunga valley.
Local Education
The Khati 'Library', operated by peAk since 2007, caters for Class 1-6 (60 students) and operates in conjunction with the local Government School. Small classes of eight to ten children are able to have personalised learning experiences with the new methods and teaching practices that the Community Teacher is introducing. The project aim is to create a vibrant child-centred, fun learning environment that encourages both collaboration and independent learning.
The Jatoli Primary school (Class 1-5) is a government run school with approximately 20 students. There is no middle school in Jatoli. A majority of children finish their education in Class 5 with the remainder walking a 14 ‘Himalayan’ kilometre round trip in inclement conditions to the Junior school at Khati. Most are unlikely to complete their education.
peAk is involved in educational outreach work for the children of Jatoli.
Lack of basic educational materials is an ongoing problem (especially for girls) in a region where the cost of education equates to absenteeism.
peAk has decided to introduce computers into the classroom. The reality of modern India means that for children to compete in the ‘outside world’ for employment opportunities into the future, computer literacy is important.
There is also the double benefit of being able to screen educational DVD’s, an alternative to Indian serials (soapies) whose target audience is the adult population.
To promote gender equality in the classroom, computer use gives girls access to a new educational resource that has positive outcomes for learning English, computer skills and hopefully, long term economic benefit.
At this time there is no internet connectivity in the area but computer literacy is the first step to breaking down the global digital divide.
Photo: Three girls from Class 2 - Bhajanti, Chandni & Leila
Life in the Kumoan Himalaya - off the grid
Villagers rely largely on subsistence agriculture with money from occasional seasonal employment supplementing fundamental household requirements.
There is no electricity in the village although an extremely successful Solar Project (set up by peAk in 2011/2012) has provided individual home lighting and additional battery power for computer use in the community building.
After consulting with the local community it emerged that access to a printer is essential.
Khati currently has no formal system for birth certificates. In conjunction with the Panchayat (council) and central administration in Bharari, peAk plans to undertake the printing and signing of official documents for newborn children to be used as ID into the future.
Thanks to metres of rain in the monsoon and an army of silverfish the purchase of a laminator is a ‘must’ to preserve all documentation!
More Information
Veronica Flynn from peAk has been keeping a fascinating blog for several years about life in the remote villages and how its changing. Read more.