SKI's SITE VISIT REPORT - 2006

I happened to be in Calcutta the last two days of May,2006. I took the opportunity to visit 
the VESC schools on 31st May, which happened to be the last day of class before the summer 
vacation. This was a brief trip and I managed to stay only around half hour in each of the 
schools.

I was at Jagaddal when the school was in session. The children were in the respective classes. 
I briefly talked to the children and teachers.

I also met the children who are staying in the Jagaddal school building itself. These are 
children who are given shelter here due to problems in their families, as well as health 
reasons. The children are put up in the first floor rooms of the building, which had been 
constructed since my last visit. What struck me most was that the place, especially 
upstairs where the children were staying, was very neat and clean. I shared my appreciation 
with the lady who is taking care of the children there.

I then left for Sonarpur. The children there were just about to have their mid-day meal. 
That centre, which has the benefit of experience teachers, is well run. It was good to see 
the teachers continuing with their earlier enthusiasm and dedication. I also met Mr. Dulal 
Chakravarty, a retired gentleman, who is volunteering his time at the school to help in its
management.

Some general thoughts that I noted down when I was there:

(i) VESC is making good progress in general. It was good to see Swamiji trying to give a 
stable direction to the efforts. Efforts have been on-going to diversify the support 
sources. Some support has been forthcoming from alumni of Narendrapur school, groups
in US and also the Ramakrishna Mission Headquarters. Government funds have also been 
applied for. Swamiji is planning to set up a vocational training centre next to the 
Jagaddal school. When the support comes through, in the years to come, more initiatives 
that cater to the underprivileged in the area should take shape.

From the Asha for Education side, we should do what we need to, to help the promised and 
committed supports to bear fruit.

(2) I felt the efforts of the volunteers at the ground level, including the teachers and 
other help, should be highlighted more.

From Asha for Education side, we need to see how more incentives and motivations can be 
provided for the teachers and other ground level volunteers. While I agree they are 
volunteers and are not supposed to do the service with some material expectations, but we
should try and see if some form of material support can also be provided for them.

(3) If any asbestos material is still left in Jagaddal, it should be removed promptly. Such
material should be replaced by safe construction material - preferably local material such as 
tiles or thatch.

(4) I was happy to note that overall the school area was much cleaner than before. We could 
provide waste-paper baskets in every room as an experiment and encourage children to use 
them. The waste material should also be disposed properly at the end of the day, everyday.