Third Halfyearlymonitoring Report of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (Rmsa) in Odisha

THIRD HALFYEARLYMONITORING REPORT OF RASHTRIYA MADHYAMIK SHIKSHA ABHIYAN (RMSA) IN ODISHA

(BOUDH, DHENKANAL, KHORDHA, NAYAGARH AND PURI DISTRICTS)

Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development Studies

Bhubaneswar-751013 (Odisha)

2015

Analytical Note on Monitoring Report of RMSA Activities in Odisha

(Boudh, Dhenkanal, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri)

The third half yearly report on monitoring of RMSA activities of three districts namely Boudh, Dhenkanal, Khordha, Nayagarh and Puri has been prepared by Dr. Rajkishor Meher & Dr. C. R. Das, Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development Studies Bhubaneswar. The report covers period of 6 months of Monitoring & Report preparation (Dec 2014 to June 2015).

Selection Criteria of the schools: The Schools were selected taking into account their location, availability and also the RMSA activities. The selection was made on the basis of location and with regard to rural-urban context and the categories mentioned in TOR of MI(s).

As a total MI has monitored 125 schools (25 schools each district).

Component wise Analysis of MI report is as under:

1.Planning & Implementation:

a)Perspective Plan: The practice of preparation of perspective planning is not taking place in any 125 sampled schools.

b)Convergence: Convergence approach in schools planning has been adopted by all 125(100%) sampled schools in five districts.

c)School Development Plan (SPD): All the 125 (100%) sampled schools of five districts have school development plan (SDP) in place, in which SMDCs’ recommendation has been incorporated in all 125 schools.

d)The Meetings of General Body of School Management and Development Committee are being held Quarterly in 101 (80.80%), Half-yearly in 7 (5.60%) and no meetings held in 17 (13.60) schools respectively.

e)District level Plan: District level planning has been completed in all the sampled schools in three districts.

f)Involvement of State level team in the preparation of district level plan: MI report reflects that state level planning team was involved in the preparation and finalization of district level plans for all five districts.

Observations: Perspective planning needs to be incorporated as part of schools level planning as only 41 out of 125 schools have developed 3 years perspective plan. SPO/DPO should be involved in capacity building of the SMDC members for preparation of perspective planning.

State has adopted a convergence approach with other departments’ such as social welfare, tribal development, minority development, rural development health, medical and family welfare, electricity, public works to develop the various service supports required at the school level..

2.Access

a)Category of schools visited:- Out of 125 sampled schools, 01 (.08%) schools are in EBBs, 16(12.80%) schools are in urban and 12 (9.60%) schools were selected for the visit on the basis of CWSN enrolment, 26 school (20.80%) visited was with higher gender gap. 09 (7.20%) schools had abundance of SC/ST/minority students. 24 (19.20%) schools were recognized with low retention rate and none of the schools are situated in habitations of seasonal migrants. 18 (14.40%) schools were recognized with low academic achievements. 13 (10.40%) sampled schools were urban schools with most students from deprived sections. 12 (9.60%) sampled schools were found in the vicinity of forest/mountains/remote/desert area.

It was observed that civil work was in-progress in 70 (56%) schools and 10 (8%) schools have girls hostel in their campus.

b)Location of school adjacent to sensitive area: - Out of 125 schools, 3 (2.40%) schools were situated adjacent to wild life sanctuary (protected area), 17 (13.60%) school was situated in flood prone area, 1 (.80%) schools was at unstable slope, 3 (2.405) schools were situated at cyclone prone area, 14(11.20%) schools were situated at storm surge prone area and 21 (16.80%) schools were located in drought prone area.

21 (16.80%) schools were situated in arsenic/fluoride contaminated ground water area. 23 (18.40%) schools are located adjacent to busy national/state highway. 12 (9.60%) schools are located in congested urban/market & commercial area. 7 (5.60) are located at unfavorable places.

c)Transport facility for students: out of the 125 sampled schools none of the schools are providing transport facility (in form of free bus passes). It was observed that, 17 schools (13.60%) are providing residential facilities to the students coming from far-flung places.

d)44 (35.20%) schools have hazardous route to reach like (forest, railway, River etc.).

e)23847 students enrolled in school from habitation coming from a distance greater than what is prescribed for a neighourbood schools.

In 05 districts, out of total enrolled 23847 students in 125 schools, 63.51% students have access to schools located within habitation i.e. up to 1 km, none of the students have schools within distance of 1-3 Km, 23.09% students have access to schools located at a distance of 2-3 km and 7.56% students have schools within a distance of 3 to 5 km.

5.84% students have to cover distance of more than 5 km to reach the school.

Observation: - 1392 out of 23847 students are coming from a distance of more than 5 km for quality education, higher achievement level of students, better infrastructural facilities and better care of students residing in hostels. In some cases that non-existent of secondary schools within the prescribed distance limit also force parents to admit their children in a nearby school, which is more than five kilometers away from the habitation.

Social Access

Class wise social category wise enrollment & abundance data of the sampled secondary schools is as given below.

35 (28%) Schools possess proper ramps with handrails and western toilet seat/special toilets is available in 07 (5.60%).

Observation: - There is lack of proper infrastructure facilities in the schools, (i.e. lack of special furniture in classroom, escort and special toilets & ramp facilities for CWSN).

3.Equity

Gender wise profile of attendance and learning achievement of class IX 2012-13 of the student in five district of Odisha (125 sampled schools)

Observation: The total enrollment of IX class is 13716 in the 125 sampled schools. Out of these 7592 are boys and 6124 are girls. Total 13227 (96.43%) students present on the day visited by the MI, out of which 7266 (54.93%) boys and 5961 (45.07%) girls were present. Boys’ enrollment found higher than girls’ enrollment.

** Note: Enrolment in Boudh and Dhenkanal district found same.

Gender Gap in Enrollment, Attendance, Learning Achievement in Class IX2012-13 of the student in five district of Odisha (125 sampled schools)

Reason for gender gap: School heads & teachers have informed that social-cultural perception of parents and economic reasons as the main reason for gender gap.

Interventions to improve Gender gap: Special schemes like bicycle and 100 seated girls’ hostel are launched in the state. Also, many primary and upper primary schools are upgraded to secondary schools for removing the physical barriers.

Gender wise profile of attendance and learning achievement of class X 2012-13 of the student in five district of Odisha (125 sampled schools)

Observation: The total enrollment of X class is 12098 in the 125 sampled schools. Out of these 6844 are boys and 5254 are girls. Total 11315 (93.53%) students present on the day visited by the MI, out of which 6283 (55.53%) boys and 5032 (44.47%) girls were present. Boys’ enrollment found higher than girls’ enrollment.

Gender Gap in Enrollment, Attendance, Learning Achievement in Class X (2012-13) of the student in five district of Odisha (125 sampled schools)

Reason for gender gap: School heads & teachers have informed that social-cultural perception of parents and economic reasons as the main reason for gender gap.

Drop-Out Category-wise (SC/ST/Minorities/CWSN) dropout Students of age group 14-16 years.)

Reasons for gaps in enrollment:77 (61.60%) sampled schools reported economic reason, 11 (8.80%) reported socio cultural reasons and3 (2.40%) schools have reported physical reasons. Whereas none of the sampled schools has linguistic problem are the main reasons of enrollment gaps.

Reason for absenteeism: In around 112 (89.60%) sampled schools, the reason for absenteeism ascertained to be ill health, 40 (32%) social cultural issues, 42 (33.60%) sibling care, 97 (77.60%) household responsibilities and56 (44.80%) family issues/gone to relatives. Migration, earning for livelihood and any other reasonsare for 3 (1.33%),26 (20.80%) and 13 (10.40) respectively role in this issue.

Guidance & Counseling: Out of 125 sampled schools of five districtsguidance & counseling cell has been constituted in only 02 sampled schools and the remaining schools have no counseling cell. In these 02 schools none of the students are assisted by the cell.

Observation: - The state should have guidance and counseling cell in schools for improvement in attendance & Gender gap for secondary Education.RMSA norm prescribes the formulation of guidance & counseling cell in each govt. school, but its absence hampers quality of learning achievement and performance of a student.

4.Quality

a.Availability of enabling conditions in schools: 118 (94.40%) schools have natural light, 118 (94.40%) schools have proper ventilation facilities, 110 (88%) schools have black board at appropriate location and125 (100%) schools have proper bulb tube light/CFL.

118 (94.40%) schools have teaching aids and 64 (51.20%) schools have desk chairs/stools for students in adequate quantity. 7 (5.60%) art and craft room are available and53 (42.40%) schools haveLibrary with age appropriate books and seating arrangement.

b.Availability of Material/Equipment in 125 schools of five districts :

The availability of equipment for teaching learning process in classroom of 125 sampled schools of 5 districts of Odisha is not found adequate. Only 59 (47.20%) schools have Science lab availability.Schools have no safe drinking water, fire extinguisher and first aid room.

Observation: State need to strengthen its infrastructure amenities to facilitate proper secondary education. State, also, needs to make provisions for safe drinking water, fire extinguishers and first aid room.

c.Teacher present in school, vacancies against sanctioned post

There are 1285 sanctioned post of subjects teachers in 125 sampled schools out of which 950 (73.93%) teacher were in position and are 936 (98.53%) in teachers were present in the day of visit in these schools. 335 (26.07%) sanctioned posts are vacant.

52 (41.60%) science, 51 (40.80%) mathematics and 16 (12.80%) language teachers are available for each class teachers in these sampled school.

d.The subject teachers of Science & Mathematics are available in 41.60% schools (52 schools) & 40.80% schools (51) whereas language teachers available in12.80% (16) schools out of 125 sampled schools and all teachers are trained and qualified as mandate. 52 (41.60%) science, 51 (40.80%) mathematics and 16 (12.80%) language teachers are available for each class in these sampled schools.

e.All the 125 sampled schools have professional training & qualification as mandated.

f.Teaching learning process:

The MI report suggests that 120 (96%) schools are maintained teacher diary and 120 (96%) countersigned. Group discussion and team work in teaching methodology is also adopted in 96 (76.80%) schools. Allschools are using Continuous and comprehensive marking as a method of assessment. Sampled schools also conduct unit & monthly tests assessment. 123 (98.40%) schools of the sampled school arranged for less period or extra classes for academically weaker students.

The overall environment of studies for CWSN depends upon the interaction pattern in the school premises. It was reported to be friendly in 76 schools with CWSN. It is good that nowhere interaction of peers in the form oftaunting, teasing and bullying was reported through none of the schools reported neutral attitude also. None of the sampled schools have ICT devices for teaching and learning of the CWSN.There are only 10 schools with adequate facilities for seating CWSN.

Observation: - It’s a matter of concern that none of the schools of these districts have prepared individualized education program (IEP) for its CWSN.

g.Teacher training: - 125 (100%) schools have received teacher training under RMSA and 45563 of teachers were trained in these schools.

Observation: State project office prepared the annual plan for in-service teacher training to improve quality and skills. It was observed that teachers were keen to received training on subject based, orientation programme, innovative training, computer education etc.

Resource person should be called from higher educational institutions and training should be provided on practical problems related to classroom situations.

h.There are adequate space and projection available in 67 (53.60%) schools. Tools / Modules, LCD/Projector/Computer equipment etc. are adequately available in 71 (56.80%) schools.

i.105 schools assured that the training modules are need based.

5.Civil Work :

For class IX & X there are 357 rooms of standard size (20’x24’) available 125 sampled schools.

The MI report reflects that out of 125 sampled schools 60 schools are running in pucca building, 57 are in semi pucca, 8 are in kutcha and none of the school is running in rented.

Observations: The physical condition of the building needs maintenance because there are cracks in 62 (49.60%) buildings and seepage in 33 (26.40%) schools. Damp in 12 (9.60%) and Damages in plaster are observed in 11 (14.67%) buildings. None of buildings are said perfect in all sense across 125 sampled schools.

Cross ventilation and natural light is available in all 117 schools.
Lighting facility exists in 121 (96.80%) schools. In 121 Schools with lighting facility arrangement is functional.
Alternate power supply: In order to facilitate the alternate electric power supply 100 (80%) schools have generator.
Library room: Out of the available room for library only 9 (7.20%) Schools have sufficient seating space. There is adequate space for practical work in 8 (6.40%) Schools lab.

Out of 125 sampled schools, the availability of ramp in the entrance of the schools is found to be in 53 (42.40%) schools. There is absence of adequate number of ramps for CWSN to enable their access in different areas of schools premises such as, lab and playground auditorium, lib, etc. 10 (8%) schools have ramps to access toilets facilities. 9 (11.84.06%) schools have benches of different heights.
Water Facilities :

Observation: It is pleasant to note that out of 125 sampled schools all schools have drinking water facility and 84 schools have drinking water storage facility. 29 (23.20%) aquagaurd,19 (15.20%) schools have water filter as a measure to ensure clean drinking water and 17 (13.60%) schools have other system for cleaning the water. 33 (26.40%) schools reflected the availability of sufficient number of drinking water taps.

Availability and Maintenance of Toilets

Availability:- Availability of girls and boys toilets/urinals are there in 23 (18.40%) schools and 23 (18.40%) respectively. 23 (18.40%) schools have toilet facilities for CWSN and 23 (18.40%) schools have toilets for teachers also.

Observation: The report reflects that only 77 out of 125 sampled schools have proper maintenance, clean toilet on the day of visit and running water is found.Facility of toilets in adequate numbers for girls exists in 23 (18.40%), for boys in 23 (18.40%), for CWSN in 23 (18.40%) and for teachers & staff in 23 (18.40%) schools.

The drainage system exists only in 14 (11.20%) Schools and Water and Energy conservation exist in only 4 (3.20%) of the sampled schools.
Safety aspects of a government school building is a mandatory task reminded several times by the department before it rains. It is safe in 61 (48.80%) sampled schools and64 (51.20%) schools are in bad conditioned.
Disaster preparedness: The disaster preparedness plan and accordingly emergency evacuation plan is available only in 10 (8%) schools, whereas the rest 115 (92%) schools do not have the plan.
Ongoing construction: Out of 125 sampled Schools, 23 schools having ongoing construction activities for new school building and strengthening works was in progress in 49 schools. It’s found that construction work is not being done according to the layout plan. This construction work has been entrusted to rural development department. In few districts SMDC is monitoring the execution of civil work whereas in some of the districts SMDC feels helpless in monitoring the construction work.

SMDC members are not involved in procurement process in any of the sampled schools.

Observation: State needs to strengthen its toilet facilities by providing 100% coverage under swach bharat and RMSA (boys/girls/CWSN). State should also provide proper drainage facilities or convert the existing toilets into bio toilets with septic tank or bio digester.

6.SMDC

SMDC members in 25 (33.33%) have average level of familiarity with their roles as notified by the state government. For sample the familiarity with their roles was observed 3 (4%) schools as better understanding, good in 41 (54.67%) and unfamiliar in 6 (8%) schools.

Out of 125 sampled schools 25 (20%) members received the training.
Printed copy of guidelines of SMDC was not available to members in all 125 sampled schools.
SMDC of all 125 sampled schoolsnot participates in the preparation of annual work plan (AWP&B).
8204 (68.18%) members of SMDC’s have received training.

7.Management Information System

Right from state level to district level and from district level to School level, the distribution of DCF for the current year was 80%. DCF was duly filled by only 75 (60%) schools out of 125 sample schools. Teachers Training is imparted in only 100 schools out of 125 sample schools.

As per information provided by DPOs, none of the school report cards has been generated nor distributed in 75 schools. They have also not conducted any sample checking in any of the Schools.

All sample Districts needs to provide proper teacher training for timely completion of DCF related work.

8.Financial Management

Observation: Out of total amount received under school annual grant for 125 sampled schools, 100% amount has been utilized. The minor repair grant for 124 sampled schools, 100% amount has been utilized.

The report reflects that display of financial information (receipts & payments) was not found anywhere in display notice board / wall of the school. Financial records are maintained in bank reconciliation is done on monthly basis in 119 (95.12%) schools.

System for payment of fund from SMDC account is through cash & cheque in all the districts.

9.State/District Level Component Analysis

1.Innovation:MI report has recorded no innovative activity/proposals plan in the state in 5 sampled districts.

2.MMER:At district level 15 posts are sanctioned for implementation of RMSA scheme. Out of which only 13 staffs are in position. Monitoring tools/mechanism (reports, visits etc) are used to ensure effective implementation of the scheme. The DEO/DPO makes visit to some of the schools of the district to check about status of implementation of RMSA.

3.Management System

Availability of Infrastructure/ Staff available in SCERT/SIERT - The data not been captured in report.
State Data Base: school mapping is completion in 04districts (80%) and only in 01 district database mechanism (MIS) is in place.

4.Research: MI has not been able to fetch and capture the details of any research projects. Action research is not under taken by the state in the area of education for improving quality of teacher learning process.