Neelbagh Rural Residential School

Dear Friends and Supporters of Ashraya,

This quarter has been a time to celebrate, it gives me immense pleasure to share that, Ashraya Neelbagh School, a Kannada medium rural school secured 100% results consecutively for the 6th time and this year with 100% first class, out of 280 schools in Kolar District.

While all 26 students, who appeared for the examination, were successful and secured first class marks, 8 students – Bhargavi. G, Bhavya, Bheemananda, Eshamma, Mallikarjuna Reddy, Manjula, Sundar and Venkatesh have bagged Distinction- out of the 26 students 17 have secured marks in the 80’s, 5 secured in the 70’s and 4 secured in the 60’s.

Most of our students are first generation learners who belong to the most vulnerable groups – migrant construction workers, domestic helpers, daily wagers, single parent, auto drivers, poor farmers and belonging to marginalized communities.

As a result of the excellent results majority of the students from Neelbagh have won various scholarships from the State Government, Individuals, NGO’s and other institutions, to pursue their college studies. All 26 students’ i.e 11 girls and 15 boys are continuing their higher education.

The school hostel reopened for old boarders on 11th May 2014 and the School reopened after the summer break on 12th May 2014.

On June 4th, the new admissions list was finalized - thirty four young ones were admitted to the LKG and 2 new students for senior classes. The school did not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion or ethnic group.

Currently, with the new admissions, the School has 376 students (183 Girls and 193 Boys) from below poverty line families as against 174 (74 Girls and 100 Boys) students in 2003, showing a 147% increase in the number of girl children, over the past few years. Neelbagh school is reaching out to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education and promote gender equality. There are 100 students in Hostel (50 girls and 50 boys).

During LKG admissions, as always, priority was given to children from below poverty line families and the School continues to give impetus to ‘girl child’ education in the rural area. Improved access to education for girl children from most vulnerable groups ensures that children are not exposed to trafficking, sexual abuse or forced into early marriage or child labor.

On June 21st a Drawing competition was organized for all 376 students and on June 23^rd cultural programs were performed by 10th grade students, during the morning assembly. The drama ‘Health is Wealth’, folk songs, group dance and Kolata were appreciated by one and all.

This academic year the State Govt has revised the syllabus for Class 10 Secondary School Leaving Certification (SSLC) students; textbooks have been revised based on the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus. This change has created ripples in the student and teacher communities. We at Neelbagh are focusing more on training the teachers especially for Maths, Science and English. Curiosity, a Bangalore based organization working with the aim of promoting creativity in science amongst children, will train Maths and Science Teachers. This training will be instrumental in guiding teachers –instructing and appraising the teachers on how to teach in a more comprehensive and efficient manner.

Communities continue to connect with the program both through outreach activities and through the school management.

On behalf of the entire staff and Board Members of Ashraya I thank you for your support. Your support and positive comments are the fuel that keeps us moving forward to make Ashraya Neelbagh School a sustainable Project.

Thanks and Regards,

Evalin Christabel

Project Head – Ashraya Neelbagh School