Adharshila
by Dr. Surjan Singh Memorial Foundation
more info on www.adharshila.net

Contents of the presentation:
1. The Background
2. The Foundation and it’s objectives.
3. The roll-out plan.
4. The progress so far.
5. The plan for the next 2 years.
6. Our requirements.

The Background
The location: Village Kohra, (Kanpur Distt) Uttar Pradesh
Resident population: 3000.
Prime Occupation: Agriculture
Quality of life : Very poor
Electricity : NA
Running Water : NA
Roads : Very Limited
Sanitation : NA
Quality Education : NA
Employment options : NA

Tour of Kohra
An old lady
outside her
mud house.

Tour of Kohra
A typical
farmers’
house.

Tour of Kohra
A typical
farmer’s
house.

Tour of Kohra
There are
limited
drainage
system in the
village.

Tour of Kohra
Another poor
farmer’s
house.

Tour of Kohra
A slightly better
made “pucca”
house

Tour of Kohra
A slightly better
made “pucca”
house

We identified education as the fundamental & basic need which
would have a long term impact on the well being of the area.
There were existing education facilities in the village, managed
both by:
1.Government initiative.
2.Private initiative.

State of existing education facilities
Government schools
While the school
building exists,
there is a lack of
regular classes,
which the teacher
(sole) missing for
months.

State of existing education facilities
Government schools
Most of the times
there is no
education and even
when there is it is
of fairly low quality.

State of existing education facilities
Government schools
Most of the times
there is no
education and even
when there is it is
of fairly low quality.

State of existing education facilities
Private schools - 1
Of the two private
schools – this one
runs out of a
temporary cow
shed.

State of existing education facilities
Private schools - 1
Of the two private
schools – this one
runs out of a
temporary cow
shed.

State of existing education facilities
Private schools - 1
Of the two private
schools – this one
runs out of a
temporary cow
shed.

State of existing education facilities
Private schools - 2
The 2nd school as a
dedicated
premises – which
however is open to
the elements and
is very basic.

State of existing education facilities
Private schools - 2
The kids sit on the
mud floor in this
open class be it
summers, winters
or rains.

State of existing education facilities
Private schools - 2
The overall
structure.

State of existing education facilities
Private schools - 2
Inspite of the
quality of facilities
the school imparts
education to over
200 kids.

The Foundation and it’s objectives.
Dr. Surjan Singh Memorial Foundation was established in 2004
in fond memory of Dr. Surjan Singh, who was born in the
village of Kohra.
Dr. Singh struggled through his early years to give him self
quality education. Over his life time he excelled and held
various important positions in India and overseas.
Dr. Singh was close to his roots and wanted to contribute
towards providing quality education to kids of Kohra so that
they could build a future for themselves and could complete
with the best in the world.
The foundation would try and fulfill his dream.
The foundation is “not for profit”, non-religious and non-
political in nature. The foundation’s nature also extends to all
its trustees without exception.

The roll-out plan.
To establish a high quality, affordable school, in the very close vicinity
of Kohra, to impart all round development for the children of the
villages around the area. And to make the kids self dependent with an
ability to complete and excel in their lives.
Phase 1 (Year 2005): Block I - Class KG, 1st and 2nd along with support facilities
Phase 2 (Year 2006): Block II, Class 3rd and 2 additional classes.
Phase 3 (Year 2008 and onwards): Block III

The progress so far.
1. The story of the name, the logo, the local level advocacy and the
support.
Direction
signage

Our window to the world !!

The progress so far.
2. The land
road
road
Barren land when acquired.
The acquired land is within walking
distance from the village of Kohra

The progress so far.
3. The design and layout
Block III
Swings etc Block II
Block I
road
(Already Up)
The entry gate
The planned cluster layout
road
The objective was to make a modern school, which should provide a safe and quality environment.

The progress so far.
4. The building and 1st phase of construction
The planned cluster layout

The progress so far.
5. The teachers and the student recruitment

The progress so far.
6. The soft opening (11th April, 2005) – KG

The progress so far.
6. The soft opening (11th April, 2005) – 1st

The progress so far.
6. The soft opening (11th April, 2005) – 2nd

The main launch event

Our own building …. Block I

The students not only have
access to proper facilities in
terms of classrooms, furniture,
computers, toilets but also to
good quality teachers.

The students not only have
access to proper facilities in
terms of classrooms, furniture,
computers, toilets but also to
good quality teachers.

The students also have access to
proper sports facilities ensuring
overall development of the
students.

Over the years the number of
students has grown to 225 and
they come from 12 adjoining
villages.

Girl child education which was a low
priority for the parents has seen a
remarkable turn around over the
years with the percentage of female
students going up with every
session.

The highlights so far:
The achievements
225 students in six classes with a good mix of boys and girls.
9 teachers.
Education plus personality development.
Computer education (only one in the area)
6 major events (annual day with 4000 plus visitors)
VIP visits to the village and the school to create awareness and induce action.
Representations for electricity, roads and facilities.
The road has now being laid.
Consistent education with increased Parent – Teacher interaction.
Managing a transport facility which has started to recover it’s own costs.
Funds generation and constructions without cost overruns
Information dissemination on www.adharshila.net

The plan for the next 2 years at the school.
Commencing focused program to enroll more female students, by
providing incentives on education.
Establishment of Block III and lab facilities.
Establishment of more transport facilities to cover a larger area to
cover more villages.
Undertaking educational trips for students without it becoming a
burden for the parents.
Training of teachers on modern teaching systems and providing
teachers with better compensation. Kicking of “sponsor a teacher”
program.
Establishment of Mentor School Program.
Starting open house for computer education and on language skills.
Commencing of adult education program with esp. focus on female
education.

Our hopes for support on any of the following;
A Material donation for expenses like classroom furniture,
teaching aids, transport, fuel, computers, etc.
Financial support for building funds, staff salary, student
B scholarship, etc.
Support by way of direct involvement and time by way site
C visits, interaction with students, teachers, villagers and
advocacy with relevant government and non-government
departments.

Thank you.