In 1998-99, a
programme named PESLE (Programme for Enrichment of School Level
Education) was introduced by the European Union (EU) and the Aga Khan
Foundation was commissioned to function as a nodal agency. Bodh was
designated as core partner in the PESLE programme. This has been a
comprehensive umbrella programme within which Bodh has been carrying
out its educational activities through integrated community schools,
research and resource development and organizational capacity
building.
Expansion of educational endeavors for deprived children into new
socio-geographical areas, mainstreaming of Bodh's innovations at a
much wider plane and development of Bodh's campuses, both in rural and
urban area for carrying out its rural and urban based programmes,
including teachers training, research and resource development are
some of the significant features of PESLE. The program has three major
components-
Consolidation
This involves strengthening the existing seven urban Bodhshalas, that
at present reaches out to 1340 children (2003). The effort is made to
bring all the children in the catchment area of these schools into
school. One of the achievement of the Bodh intervention has been that
children are now enrolled not only in our schools, but also in
Government schools. A recent trend is the enrollment of children in
Private schools that have mushroomed in the slums covered by the Bodh
intervention.
Outreach
Bodh has reached out to new areas. The intervention undertaken in the
rural areas under Shikshanchal and Shikshak Pahal are undertaken under
this head. The intention here is to ensure that these new schools are
located in areas that lack existing school facilities and would
consequently be expected to reduce the number of out of school
children.
Mainstreaming
Replication of the Bodh strategies in the mainstream government
schools to ensure the overall goal of Quality Education for All. This
includes the Janshala, Shikshak Pahal and Jan Pahal Programs.
