Projects: Education

(i) Hostels (boys - 166, girls-36)- छात्त्रावास :

The vanvasis mostly reside in villages far away from main stream society where education facilities are not available. Very often the nearest school for the vanvasi children is as far as 15-20 Kms. away. Commuting such long distances is not possible and also discourages them from attending classes on a regular basis.

To address this problem Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram has constructed hostels for school going children near schools in rural areas . On an average each hostel accommodates 25-30 children. These are children from financially weak backgrounds or those who stay far away from schools. Kalyan ashram bears all their expenses including - boarding, fooding, lodging, schooling etc. There are separate hostels for boys and girls and the children are usually admitted when they have reached classes 5 or 6 and stay till they complete their schools. A strict routine is followed which includes shakha, exercises, studies, games, worship etc. These hostels play a vital role in grooming the vanvasi children and bringing out their hidden talents.

(ii) Primary school (162); (iii) Middle & High school (40) :
These schools are established by Purvanchal Kalyan Ashram and have classes up to high school. Apart from providing education they also help develop cultural and ethical values among the vanvasi children. There are 162 primary schools and 40 middle and high schools all over India.

(iv) Ekal Vidyalay (1393) :
As the name suggests these are basic education centres managed by a 'single teacher' hence the name - Ekal Vidyalay . These vidyalays are established in remote villages where education hasn't reached. There are a total of 1393 Ekal vidyalays including 422 in Jharkhand.


(v) Bal Sanskar Kendra ( Informal education centers, 884) :
These 'kendras' are established to inculcate religious, spiritual and cultural virtues among young vanvasi children. Local young women who have passed at least 8^th standard are selected, trained and then deputed. Two hour's teaching includes cleanliness, prayer, mantra chanting, songs and poems, story telling, sports, basic knowledge and language learning.

There are 882 such kendras (as on June-2008) all over India including 2 in Andaman.

(vi) Night Schools (232) :
We all are aware of the fact that most of the vanvasis and their children depend upon agriculture for their living. They often leave for the fields early morning and it is not possible for the children to attend morning or day schools. Keeping this in mind Kalyan Ashram is running night schools so that the vanvasi children can attend school as well as work on their fields. There are 232 night schools all over India of which 228 are functioning in Orissa.

(vii) Free coaching classes (57) :


(viii) Library & Reading rooms (43) :
kalyan Ashram has established libraries and reading rooms to help the vanvasis develop reading as a hobby. Reading keeps them updated with the rest of the world and also improve their proficiency in English. There are 43 libraries and reading rooms all over India.