A helping hand in studies
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Tribal people living in remote areas get basic education
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To run a world-class industry, world-class intellect is mandatory. And intellect can be developed with a sound education system that provides comprehensive knowledge.
Tata Steel has been supporting a large number of schools and several colleges by providing infrastructure support, land and resources. Through its outreach programmes the company has taken the messages of literacy to many more.
Recently Tata Steel extended its support to include a special institute of tribal studies in XLRI, Jamshedpur. Apart from institutes of national repute the company also supported more than 50 schools. The company also ensures education in remote places through its sponsored NGO, the Tribal Cultural Society (TCS). Support to this process is ensured through Jyoti Fellowship, and a host of coaching programmes that help train young minds to compete with the best.
Shakshar Samaj
A computer-based functional literacy project — Shakshar Samaj — was conceived and launched in April 2004 by the Tata Group to reach out to those who never had the opportunity to became part of the formal educational process.
The Shakshar Samaj project also had an ambitious but achievable intention of turning 25,000 illiterate people into functionary literates by this year.
The project uses computer-based module to transform an absolute illiterate into one with a vocabulary of 300 words and the ability to read and write.
Flexible
The software package not only accelerates the pace of learning, it is flexible enough to adjust to individual learning speeds. It dismisses the requirements of trained teachers.During 2004-05 the project reached out to 11,000 people through a network of 26 partners. In 2005-06, TCS introduced the use of flip charts as a substitute to computers in villages where there is no electricity.
Jyoti Fellowship
This project is designed basically to assist the meritorious SC/ST students. The awards worth Rs. 25 lakh is available to all SC/ST students who are permanent residents of Singhbhum East/West, Sareikela-Kharsawan, Ranchi, Hazaribag and Dhanbad districts of Jharkhand and studying in any high school.
The Fellowship was started in 1990. In 2004-05, 240 students were given awards worth Rs. 9 lakh. And this year 393 students have been given fellowships worth Rs. 25 lakh.
Tata Steel has influenced the integration of tribal people in the economy in a less obvious and immediate way by supporting the education of tribal children and youth.
Checking dropouts
Infants and toddlers are prepared for formal schooling in the informally run balwadis (creches/nurseries) while the dropout rate of tribal students in schools and colleges has been drastically checked with financial assistance and sponsorships.
A project called Sahyog helps tribal students in five schools to develop self-esteem and plan their future.
Balwadis at eight locations assist 225 tribal children at a cost of Rs 65,000 every year. Financial support worth Rs. 5.85 lakh is given to more than 250 meritorious tribal students each year.
A total of 11 school buildings have been constructed while 2,000 graduated from the balwadi classes into formal schools.
Thirty graduates are coached for the Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination at a cost of Rs. 75,000 annually.
BINDU GOPAL RAO
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