United Way Mumbai (UWM)
A COMMON VISION
Creating a foundation for education that will improve the child’s success in the school system and reduce dropouts, through a model of adopting existing, underutilised resources in the government education system.
WHat THEY DO
UWM’s education program, Project Ankur, plugs into the Maharashtra government’s existing pre-primary education centres where activities are aligned to their Aakar syllabus, which focuses on early childhood education to enhance learning outcomes.
UWM monitors the performance at these centres, while providing community support that engages families to ensure that children are supported to stay in school.
Shikrapur Gaothan, Pune
Talegaon, Pune
Khedkar Vasti, Pune
Sondekar Mala, Pune
CORNERSTONES
UWM employs facilitators and trains them extensively in the Aakar syllabus, so that they can then train and closely monitor the Anganwadi teachers to implement the program effectively.
At the four Anganwadis that Bansuri supports, there has been strong community engagement which has led to new enrolments and better attendance.
Facilitator discussions
Sessions with students
Renovated spaces
Free-play
Physical activity
Sessions with parents
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
- An average of 14% increase in enrolment since the refurbishments, with students switching over from privately run, English medium pre-primary schools.
- An improved retention rate is noted with the daily attendance being 65% to 70%, across the 4 Anganwadi centres
HIGHLIGHTS
Palak Shala (Parent’s School) is an innovative activity where parents gather in the centre to create educational material for children. They have conducted 22 Palak Shalas for the 4 Anganwadi Centres from August ‘19 to February ’20.
Celebrated Balak-Palak Melawa (Annual Children-Parents gathering) at Indraprasth Garden, Shikrapur Pune. A total of 300+ children and parents from 4 Anganwadi centres participated in the event where children showcased their singing and dancing talents.
