Project Brief: Maitri Shaala supplements education of the tribal children of Melghat through activity based learning program. It is based on the principal of active participation of tribal community.
Project Type: Non-Formal Educational Centers (description)
Primary Focus: children of dalits/tribals (description)

Secondary Focus: creating resources

Area: Tribal
Supporting Chapter Contact:
Silicon Valley

Status: CURRENT
Project Steward: Medha Joshi
Project Partner(s): Ashwini Dharmadhikari
Project Address: Maitri - Shaala
Kalyan, 32, Natraj Society
Karve Nagar
Pune, Maharashtra 411038
Tel: 011 91 2025450882
Stewarding Chapter: Silicon Valley

Maitri Shaala is activity based learning program for tribal children of Melghat Region.

Maitri Shaala works with three key elements : non local “Project coordinators”, local tribal “Coordinators” and local tribal “Executors”. Non local project coordinators train local coordinators and executors or “Gav Mitra” (“Friends of Village”) through various workshops and training camps. Responsibilities of local coordinators and executors is 1. Execute vision and program of the project coordinators 2. Counsel parents, spread awareness, participation in School Management Committees 3. Motivate children by songs, stories, bilingual (Korku-Marathi) language games, activity based programs 4. Help with their homework : basic reading, writing, science and mathematical skills. It is also involved in efforts to make government ZP schools more efficient, accountable. There is active and ongoing dialogue with ZP school administrators, principal, teachers. Since 2018, there is formation of School Management Committee (SMC) in one village with representation from school, village head (“Sarpanch”), Maitri non local coordinator, local coordinators, and parents. Because of local representation understands specific needs and problems.

Using funding from Asha for Education, Maitri Shaala plans to 1) Develop Chilati which is base village for Maitri Shaala, as a model center for Training/ workshops 2) Digitally equipped center – Projector, Laptop, Desktop, Printers 3) Create a good library for all in Chilati and other villages 4) To demonstrate BALA ( Building As Learning Aid) and keep a model in front of Village School Committee and people. 5) Before school opens, have 1-2 hours of help (various activity based programs, help in science math, language skills) supplementing government schools