The Story of a School Rajarampur Kumud Mohan Madhyamik Vidyalaya Presentation by: Salil K. Gupta Secretary, BISAREE bisaree@yahoo.com Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Village Rajarampur West Bengal India Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

A small village in the District of South 24 Parganas of West Bengal- an extended part of Sundarban region. Most of the people are of socially backward classes- SCs, STs and minorities and they are still under the poverty line. No High School, no Health Center within 5 Km radius. No accessible roads. Village - Rajarampur Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

A small village in the District of South 24 Parganas of West Bengal- an extended part of Sundarban region.

Most of the people are of socially backward classes- SCs, STs and minorities and they are still under the poverty line.

No High School, no Health Center within 5 Km radius.

No accessible roads.

Some ambitious people tried to break the ice and they identified education as the gateway to come out from the dark zone. They wanted to set up a Junior High School. Villagers contributed their meager funds and free labour. Even village women donated their ornaments. At last, Rajarampur Kumud Mohan Madhyamik Vidyalaya (RKMM Vidyalaya) came into reality in 1977. Here, begins the struggle…. Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Some ambitious people tried to break the ice and they identified education as the gateway to come out from the dark zone.

They wanted to set up a Junior High School.

Villagers contributed their meager funds and free labour.

Even village women donated their ornaments.

At last, Rajarampur Kumud Mohan Madhyamik Vidyalaya (RKMM Vidyalaya) came into reality in 1977.

Christian Missionaries extended their hands. In the year 1996, Sister Cyril arranged a sum of Rupees 6.15 lakhs from an Indo German Social Service Fund. Reimbursements of Teachers Salary started. Partial Construction of a two Storied school building was made. Then it’s a long journey…… Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Christian Missionaries extended their hands.

In the year 1996, Sister Cyril arranged a sum of Rupees 6.15 lakhs from an Indo German Social Service Fund.

Reimbursements of Teachers Salary started.

Partial Construction of a two Storied school building was made.

Inspite of several attempts this school failed to get Govt. recognition as a ‘Govt. Aided school’ by the state Govt. due to shortage of fund in their budget. The Students were too poor to pay any fees. No. of students were gradually decreased. No sooner had the missionary fund exhausted, than the payment of salary of the teachers stopped. Frustration demoralized the teachers. The school reached at the verge of closure. But Crisis started Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Inspite of several attempts this school failed to get Govt. recognition as a ‘Govt. Aided school’ by the state Govt. due to shortage of fund in their budget.

The Students were too poor to pay any fees.

No. of students were gradually decreased.

No sooner had the missionary fund exhausted, than the payment of salary of the teachers stopped.

Frustration demoralized the teachers.

The school reached at the verge of closure.

BISAREE came forward In the year 2000 Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Bisaree came forward Bisaree is a Non Govt. Non Profit making organization dedicated for social change in rural areas through education. Donations to “BISAREE” are exempt from Income Tax under section 80G of Income Tax Act,1961 of Govt. of India.. Bisaree is formed by some eminent personalities from various fields. Bisaree is a Bengali word which means ‘Spread’ or ‘dispersed’. Bisaree selected the RKMM Vidyalaya as a pivot center for changing the social, economical and cultural situation of village Rajarampur. Bisaree constituted a fund from personal contribution of its members and planned a series of programmes. Though activities of Bisaree are confined to a single village, Bisaree wants to generate a concept of development keeping education as the central force. Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Bisaree is a Non Govt. Non Profit making organization dedicated for social change in rural areas through education.

Donations to “BISAREE” are exempt from Income Tax under section 80G of Income Tax Act,1961 of Govt. of India..

Bisaree is formed by some eminent personalities from various fields.

Bisaree is a Bengali word which means ‘Spread’ or ‘dispersed’.

Bisaree selected the RKMM Vidyalaya as a pivot center for changing the social, economical and cultural situation of village Rajarampur.

Bisaree constituted a fund from personal contribution of its members and planned a series of programmes.

Though activities of Bisaree are confined to a single village, Bisaree wants to generate a concept of development keeping education as the central force.

Through untiring and continuous effort within 5 years, Bisaree got the following achievements. Started paying a meager monthly honorarium to six teachers. Supplied text books and other stationeries to the poorest children free of cost. Provided School with electricity. Arranged for Blackboard, furniture and other equipment. Opened a reading Library. Arranged for Annual Sport, Cultural Programmes and Exhibitions. Arranged for teaching of drawing by an ex Student of Govt. Art College. What Bisaree has done so far? Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Through untiring and continuous effort within 5 years, Bisaree got the following achievements.

Started paying a meager monthly honorarium to six teachers.

Supplied text books and other stationeries to the poorest children free of cost.

Provided School with electricity.

Arranged for Blackboard, furniture and other equipment.

Opened a reading Library.

Arranged for Annual Sport, Cultural Programmes and Exhibitions.

Arranged for teaching of drawing by an ex Student of Govt. Art College.

The library is now open even in the evening for the village people and daily newspaper and a transistor radio is available there. Blood donation Camps was organized by the local youth having assistance from Bisaree. Enrollment status of student has been significantly increased through continued education to villagers, youth groups and members of Mahila mandal. Parent Teachers meeting is a regular phenomenon of RKMM Vidyalaya. Some community based activities Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

The library is now open even in the evening for the village people and daily newspaper and a transistor radio is available there.

Blood donation Camps was organized by the local youth having assistance from Bisaree.

Enrollment status of student has been significantly increased through continued education to villagers, youth groups and members of Mahila mandal.

Parent Teachers meeting is a regular phenomenon of RKMM Vidyalaya.

Apart from conventional education, Bisaree wants to use education as an Instruement for economic development. Bisaree started sponsoring for vocational training on automobile repairing, house weiring & electrical works, tailoring and nursing courses. Having sponsorship from Bisaree, 4 Boys completed Technical courses, 3 girls completed tailoring courses, 2 women completed Nursing courses. Most of them earning their living after completion of training. Sponsoring Vocational Training Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Apart from conventional education, Bisaree wants to use education as an Instruement for economic development.

Bisaree started sponsoring for vocational training on automobile repairing, house weiring & electrical works, tailoring and nursing courses.

Having sponsorship from Bisaree, 4 Boys completed Technical courses, 3 girls completed tailoring courses, 2 women completed Nursing courses.

Most of them earning their living after completion of training.

Special Support Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

It’s a great pleasure to mention that Sri Aboni Roy, Hon’ble member of Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) contributed 6.77 lakh rupees from his local area development fund for completion of the unfinished construction of the school building. The work is complete now and the school has got a new look. Special support Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

It’s a great pleasure to mention that Sri Aboni Roy, Hon’ble member of Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) contributed 6.77 lakh rupees from his local area development fund for completion of the unfinished construction of the school building.

The work is complete now and the school has got a new look.

Bisaree has felt that it is not possible for a small NGO to afford the financial burden to run the school forever. The infrastructure of the school is now upto the mark but the recurring expenditure such as salary of the teachers, day to day expenditure have become too stiff a hurdle to jump over. Now the challenges to overcome Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008

Bisaree has felt that it is not possible for a small NGO to afford the financial burden to run the school forever.

The infrastructure of the school is now upto the mark but the recurring expenditure such as salary of the teachers, day to day expenditure have become too stiff a hurdle to jump over.

Bisaree humbly welcomes all well wishers to extend their support . Thankyou Bisaree A-1/3, Plot No. 173, Diamond Park, Joka, Kolkata - 700104. West Bengal, India. T: +91 33 2497-5603 T: +91 33 2497-5611 M: +91 94331 28582 Jun 6, 2009 © Bisaree 2008