Wednesday, January 17, 2007 (13:41:08)'Play Pumps' installed in MP schools
By Sanjay Sharma
Bhopal: School is a happy proposition now for many children in Madhya Pradesh. No longer do they have to stay with parched throats or go without using toilets the whole day. In Dhar district, where many children - particularly girls - had stopped going to school for want of drinking water and sanitation facilities, Unicef has helped install 'play pumps' in educational institutions. The 'play pump' is a children's merry-go-round that pumps out clean, safe drinking water from a deep borehole every time it is spun. "Since cavorting on a roundabout has always been fun for children, they enjoy doing it and clean borehole water is pumped into water storage tanks," explained Unicef communications officer Anil Gulati. So Unicef, which has helped the district administration provide the play pumps, has not only solved the water problem but also brought in a means of entertainment for schoolchildren. "Earlier I used to run away from school for want of water and bathrooms, but now I don't feel like going back home because we have this facility there and can play with it as well," said Kavita, a tribal girl studying in Class 8.
The children earlier used to go without drinking water during the day, with 90 percent of schools in Dhar having no potable water or sanitation facilities. "The play pumps project was started on an experimental basis in March 2005. Since then several such pumps have been installed in districts like Dhar, Jhabua, Vidisha and Guna. There are plans to provide 40 such pumps in different parts of the state," said Samuel Godfrey, a Unicef official. The water pumped into tanks - the process doesn't require electricity - is distributed among schools and communities in the area.
The device is thus a boon not only for schoolchildren but also for the people living in the surroundings, mainly women who have the responsibility of collecting water. "Each morning the women used to set off to the nearest borehole to collect water. They used leaky and often contaminated hand-pumps to collect water and then carry it all back. It was exhausting and time-consuming work. Now they can spend the same time at home looking after their kids and teaching them," Gulati said.
The groundwater level in these districts is too low and whatever little water is available is highly contaminated with fluoride. The water table has fallen from an average of 10 metres to 80 metres. This has led to higher concentration of contaminants like fluoride, arsenic and iron in groundwater. A total of 324 villages are affected with this problem in tribal-dominated Dhar district alone.
Unicef and the state's Public Health Engineering Department are promoting projects on water reuse, water safety and sanitation in 22 schools of Dhar and Jhabua. Children participating in a convention on water security and sanitation in Bhopal this week expressed their happiness by presenting the very songs they sing while playing with the pumps in their schools in Dhar.
They also performed plays on different themes, including re-using water, water safety, rainwater harvesting and sanitation. "Such projects, aimed at promoting recycling of grey water for its reuse in improving sanitation, are being implemented in the tribal schools of Dhar. These also promote rain water harvesting and increase the focus on sanitation," said Unicef state representative Hamid El Bashir.
(IANS)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Grassroot reporting by grassroot children
Vanita Srivastava
Hindustan Times, Bhopal, January14
Eighteen-year-old Kamod Singh Ahirwar of Chechli village in Sohapur tehsil of Hoshangabad district candidly narrates all the problems of his village. From lackadaisical teaching staff to poor electricity supply to sanitation. He forks them out with ease. Ninth standard student Lal Singh of Gundaria hamlet rattles out the same problems but with different tone. He emphasizes on the need to have good teachers in schools.
Both Kamod and Lal Singh are abreast with the problems that plague their villages. But they need a platform to delineate them. Both understand the strength of pen and have a desire to write their woes so that it reaches the person vested with authority.
The two are among the 35-40 child reporters selected between the age group 11-18 by the Dalit Sangh, an organization that works for the socially oppressed communities in Sohagpur. The Sangh with the help of UNICEF is going to take out a quarterly Newsletter which would be in toto written by children of five villages Jamonia, Semri Harchan, Gundavai, Turakhapa and Chicli. A large chunk would be children of the backward communities Pardi and Sapera.
Enumerating the details Dr Authey Gopal, Chief Functionary Officer of Dalit Sangh in Sohagpur said " the objective was to give them a dais to spell out their problems." The first issue of the four paged edition would be released in March and is likely to have 30-40 news stories.
More than 200 names had come from the government schools of the five villages. A written test was thereafter conducted to prune the students on the basis of their writing and expressive skills. The test themed on five subjects asked the children to write on a subject of their choice, a model village, newspaper, problem of village and sanitation.
Several interesting facets came to fore during the tests, Dr Gopal said adding " Like for instance one of the girls said that Chichli village has been notified as a model village by the government but the hamlet does not have any drain." A workshop conducted by some selected journalists would train the child reporters on the nitty- gritty of journalism. They will also be trained in making cartoons by experts. Barring the grammatical mistakes which would be corrected, the news would not be edited and would be placed as such to retain the originality and simplicity, he said.
The child reporters would also get an opportunity to interview administrative authorities including the sarpanch and the collector. How successful the newsletter will be is yet to be seen. But for Kanmod Singh and Lal Singh this could be an opportunity to disseminate their problems to someone who can 'redress' them.
Hindustan Times, Bhopal, January14
Eighteen-year-old Kamod Singh Ahirwar of Chechli village in Sohapur tehsil of Hoshangabad district candidly narrates all the problems of his village. From lackadaisical teaching staff to poor electricity supply to sanitation. He forks them out with ease. Ninth standard student Lal Singh of Gundaria hamlet rattles out the same problems but with different tone. He emphasizes on the need to have good teachers in schools.
Both Kamod and Lal Singh are abreast with the problems that plague their villages. But they need a platform to delineate them. Both understand the strength of pen and have a desire to write their woes so that it reaches the person vested with authority.
The two are among the 35-40 child reporters selected between the age group 11-18 by the Dalit Sangh, an organization that works for the socially oppressed communities in Sohagpur. The Sangh with the help of UNICEF is going to take out a quarterly Newsletter which would be in toto written by children of five villages Jamonia, Semri Harchan, Gundavai, Turakhapa and Chicli. A large chunk would be children of the backward communities Pardi and Sapera.
Enumerating the details Dr Authey Gopal, Chief Functionary Officer of Dalit Sangh in Sohagpur said " the objective was to give them a dais to spell out their problems." The first issue of the four paged edition would be released in March and is likely to have 30-40 news stories.
More than 200 names had come from the government schools of the five villages. A written test was thereafter conducted to prune the students on the basis of their writing and expressive skills. The test themed on five subjects asked the children to write on a subject of their choice, a model village, newspaper, problem of village and sanitation.
Several interesting facets came to fore during the tests, Dr Gopal said adding " Like for instance one of the girls said that Chichli village has been notified as a model village by the government but the hamlet does not have any drain." A workshop conducted by some selected journalists would train the child reporters on the nitty- gritty of journalism. They will also be trained in making cartoons by experts. Barring the grammatical mistakes which would be corrected, the news would not be edited and would be placed as such to retain the originality and simplicity, he said.
The child reporters would also get an opportunity to interview administrative authorities including the sarpanch and the collector. How successful the newsletter will be is yet to be seen. But for Kanmod Singh and Lal Singh this could be an opportunity to disseminate their problems to someone who can 'redress' them.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Tribal kids come forward to sketch means of water conservation in Dhar
Published in The Pioneer, January 17, 2007
Staff Reporter Bhopal
A children's convention on the theme of sanitation and water was organised at Dhar. It was Dhar's first such meet on issues like water and sanitation. It was organised by Vasudha Vikas Sansthan with support from UNICEF, district administration, Public health engineering department and tribal welfare department.
More than 200 hundred children from various tribal villages participated in the same. Children enacted dramas, songs and plays on the theme of water reuse, water safety, rain water harvesting, and sanitation.
They also sang a song based on a play pump installed by UNICEF in tribal schools of Dhar. This is a unique play pump which pumps water to the tank while children play in the same.
This water when pumped up to the tank, without use of electricity can then be wisely distributed and used both by communities and for schools.
Present at the event was UNICEF State representative Hamid El Bashir who interacted with the children and appreciated their efforts. He said that UNICEF remains committed and with support from public health engineering department it is keen to take this 'to scale' so that we can cover as many districts as possible.
Lizette Burgers Chief Water and Environmental Sanitation UNICEF Delhi present especially for the occasion said this is a good example of including children and young people and in driving positive change towards sanitation and water within communities.
District Collector Dhar RK Gupta encouraged the participating children and presented prizes to winners of the various events held during last week which commenced in this children convention today.
Dr Samuel Godfrey, Project Officer Water and Environmental Sanitation, UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh said that innovations like are being implemented in tribal schools of Dhar and are aimed to promote recycle grey water for its reuse in improving sanitation. Children also painted a thirty meter flex on various themes on issue related to water and sanitation at end of the convention.
Staff Reporter Bhopal
A children's convention on the theme of sanitation and water was organised at Dhar. It was Dhar's first such meet on issues like water and sanitation. It was organised by Vasudha Vikas Sansthan with support from UNICEF, district administration, Public health engineering department and tribal welfare department.
More than 200 hundred children from various tribal villages participated in the same. Children enacted dramas, songs and plays on the theme of water reuse, water safety, rain water harvesting, and sanitation.
They also sang a song based on a play pump installed by UNICEF in tribal schools of Dhar. This is a unique play pump which pumps water to the tank while children play in the same.
This water when pumped up to the tank, without use of electricity can then be wisely distributed and used both by communities and for schools.
Present at the event was UNICEF State representative Hamid El Bashir who interacted with the children and appreciated their efforts. He said that UNICEF remains committed and with support from public health engineering department it is keen to take this 'to scale' so that we can cover as many districts as possible.
Lizette Burgers Chief Water and Environmental Sanitation UNICEF Delhi present especially for the occasion said this is a good example of including children and young people and in driving positive change towards sanitation and water within communities.
District Collector Dhar RK Gupta encouraged the participating children and presented prizes to winners of the various events held during last week which commenced in this children convention today.
Dr Samuel Godfrey, Project Officer Water and Environmental Sanitation, UNICEF office for Madhya Pradesh said that innovations like are being implemented in tribal schools of Dhar and are aimed to promote recycle grey water for its reuse in improving sanitation. Children also painted a thirty meter flex on various themes on issue related to water and sanitation at end of the convention.
Turning water into child's play in parched schools
By Sanjay Sharma, Indo-Asian News service, [RxPG] Bhopal, Jan 17 -
They also performed plays on different themes, including re-using water, water safety, rainwater harvesting and sanitation..
School is a happy proposition now for many children in Madhya Pradesh. No longer do they have to stay with parched throats or go without using toilets the whole day.In Dhar district, where many children - particularly girls - had stopped going to school for want of drinking water and sanitation facilities, Unicef has helped install 'play pumps' in educational institutions.
The 'play pump' is a children's merry-go-round that pumps out clean, safe drinking water from a deep borehole every time it is spun.'Since cavorting on a roundabout has always been fun for children, they enjoy doing it and clean borehole water is pumped into water storage tanks,' explained Unicef communications officer Anil Gulati.
So Unicef, which has helped the district administration provide the play pumps, has not only solved the water problem but also brought in a means of entertainment for schoolchildren.'Earlier I used to run away from school for want of water and bathrooms, but now I don't feel like going back home because we have this facility there and can play with it as well,' said Kavita, a tribal girl studying in Class 8.
The children earlier used to go without drinking water during the day, with 90 percent of schools in Dhar having no potable water or sanitation facilities.'The play pumps project was started on an experimental basis in March 2005. Since then several such pumps have been installed in districts like Dhar, Jhabua, Vidisha and Guna. There are plans to provide 40 such pumps in different parts of the state,' said Samuel Godfrey, a Unicef official.
The water pumped into tanks - the process doesn't require electricity - is distributed among schools and communities in the area.The device is thus a boon not only for schoolchildren but also for the people living in the surroundings, mainly women who have the responsibility of collecting water.'Each morning the women used to set off to the nearest borehole to collect water. They used leaky and often contaminated hand-pumps to collect water and then carry it all back. It was exhausting and time-consuming work. Now they can spend the same time at home looking after their kids and teaching them,' Gulati said.
The groundwater level in these districts is too low and whatever little water is available is highly contaminated with fluoride.The water table has fallen from an average of 10 metres to 80 metres. This has led to higher concentration of contaminants like fluoride, arsenic and iron in groundwater. A total of 324 villages are affected with this problem in tribal-dominated Dhar district alone.Unicef and the state's Public Health Engineering Department are promoting projects on water reuse, water safety and sanitation in 22 schools of Dhar and Jhabua.
Children participating in a convention on water security and sanitation here this week expressed their happiness by presenting the very songs they sing while playing with the pumps in their schools in Dhar.They also performed plays on different themes, including re-using water, water safety, rainwater harvesting and sanitation.'Such projects, aimed at promoting recycling of grey water for its reuse in improving sanitation, are being implemented in the tribal schools of Dhar. These also promote rain water harvesting and increase the focus on sanitation,' said Unicef state representative Hamid El Bashir.
They also performed plays on different themes, including re-using water, water safety, rainwater harvesting and sanitation..
School is a happy proposition now for many children in Madhya Pradesh. No longer do they have to stay with parched throats or go without using toilets the whole day.In Dhar district, where many children - particularly girls - had stopped going to school for want of drinking water and sanitation facilities, Unicef has helped install 'play pumps' in educational institutions.
The 'play pump' is a children's merry-go-round that pumps out clean, safe drinking water from a deep borehole every time it is spun.'Since cavorting on a roundabout has always been fun for children, they enjoy doing it and clean borehole water is pumped into water storage tanks,' explained Unicef communications officer Anil Gulati.
So Unicef, which has helped the district administration provide the play pumps, has not only solved the water problem but also brought in a means of entertainment for schoolchildren.'Earlier I used to run away from school for want of water and bathrooms, but now I don't feel like going back home because we have this facility there and can play with it as well,' said Kavita, a tribal girl studying in Class 8.
The children earlier used to go without drinking water during the day, with 90 percent of schools in Dhar having no potable water or sanitation facilities.'The play pumps project was started on an experimental basis in March 2005. Since then several such pumps have been installed in districts like Dhar, Jhabua, Vidisha and Guna. There are plans to provide 40 such pumps in different parts of the state,' said Samuel Godfrey, a Unicef official.
The water pumped into tanks - the process doesn't require electricity - is distributed among schools and communities in the area.The device is thus a boon not only for schoolchildren but also for the people living in the surroundings, mainly women who have the responsibility of collecting water.'Each morning the women used to set off to the nearest borehole to collect water. They used leaky and often contaminated hand-pumps to collect water and then carry it all back. It was exhausting and time-consuming work. Now they can spend the same time at home looking after their kids and teaching them,' Gulati said.
The groundwater level in these districts is too low and whatever little water is available is highly contaminated with fluoride.The water table has fallen from an average of 10 metres to 80 metres. This has led to higher concentration of contaminants like fluoride, arsenic and iron in groundwater. A total of 324 villages are affected with this problem in tribal-dominated Dhar district alone.Unicef and the state's Public Health Engineering Department are promoting projects on water reuse, water safety and sanitation in 22 schools of Dhar and Jhabua.
Children participating in a convention on water security and sanitation here this week expressed their happiness by presenting the very songs they sing while playing with the pumps in their schools in Dhar.They also performed plays on different themes, including re-using water, water safety, rainwater harvesting and sanitation.'Such projects, aimed at promoting recycling of grey water for its reuse in improving sanitation, are being implemented in the tribal schools of Dhar. These also promote rain water harvesting and increase the focus on sanitation,' said Unicef state representative Hamid El Bashir.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
It was Children's Turn on Radio in Bhopal
by Anil Gulati
It was second Sunday of December and reins of all the programs broadcast by the All India Radio Bhopal were in hands of children. The occasion was to mark International Children's Broadcasting day. Right from the early morning greetings (Vande Mataram) children managed all the programs through out the day. Whether it was thought of the day or news, or conducting proceedings of the day it was children who managed the show and that too immaculately. Various drama and song based programs were also aired the same day which were based on the theme.
The International Children's Day of Broadcasting was launched in 1992 to provide a day that allows children to be seen and heard on the airwaves. It is now celebrated around the world on Second Sunday of December every year.
The theme for this year's International Children's Day of Broadcasting was Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS. AIR Bhopal and UNICEF in an effort to bring voice of children to forefront support children to be as anchors, presenters, and even producers on this occasion.
To take the enthusiasm forward All India Radio in partnership with UNICEF had organized a special children's evening with Governor of Madhya Pradesh at Bhopal on December 19, 2006. More than 250 children from districts of Bhopal, Guna, Shivpuri and Hoshangabad of Madhya Pradesh participated. It was an opportunity for them to speak and also showcase their talent. The entire programme was managed by children. Children had an opportunity to question and raise their concern with Honorable Governor of Madhya Pradesh i.e. head of the state on issues which impact them. A group of school children participating in the programme questioned Governor about issues like child labor, HIV/AIDS, education for girls, facilities for poor children, disabled and children affected with HIV/AIDS. Governor candidly replied to their questions.
Dr Balram Jhakar Governor of Madhya Pradesh, UNICEF State Representative Hamid El Bashir and AIR Station Director also spoke on the day. Governor in his address to children at the occasion said that future of country lies in their hands. He called on the Government on the need to protect them give them all they deserved. He urged state to help overcome poverty, child labor and make sure that every child goes to school.
Hamid El Bashir State Representative of UNICEF's office for Madhya Pradesh spoke on the theme of the broadcasting day. He in his address spoke on the rights of children affected and impacted by HIV/AIDS and a need for them to be protected. He spoke on the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and about the campaign Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS. He added that the campaign calls for the young people of Madhya Pradesh and the rest of India to become alive to the cause of children affected by HIV/AIDS, to alert society to the reality that HIV/AIDS which is robbing tens of millions of children of their childhood. A copy of UNICEF's State of World's Children report 2007 was also presented to the Governor. Ms Salina Singh Project Director Madhya Pradesh State Aids Control Society, Mrs. Asha Shukla, Station Director All India Radio were also present at the occasion. In addition to this events AIR Bhopal also undertakes a regular weekly programme for children which is aired around the year.
It was second Sunday of December and reins of all the programs broadcast by the All India Radio Bhopal were in hands of children. The occasion was to mark International Children's Broadcasting day. Right from the early morning greetings (Vande Mataram) children managed all the programs through out the day. Whether it was thought of the day or news, or conducting proceedings of the day it was children who managed the show and that too immaculately. Various drama and song based programs were also aired the same day which were based on the theme.
The International Children's Day of Broadcasting was launched in 1992 to provide a day that allows children to be seen and heard on the airwaves. It is now celebrated around the world on Second Sunday of December every year.
The theme for this year's International Children's Day of Broadcasting was Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS. AIR Bhopal and UNICEF in an effort to bring voice of children to forefront support children to be as anchors, presenters, and even producers on this occasion.
To take the enthusiasm forward All India Radio in partnership with UNICEF had organized a special children's evening with Governor of Madhya Pradesh at Bhopal on December 19, 2006. More than 250 children from districts of Bhopal, Guna, Shivpuri and Hoshangabad of Madhya Pradesh participated. It was an opportunity for them to speak and also showcase their talent. The entire programme was managed by children. Children had an opportunity to question and raise their concern with Honorable Governor of Madhya Pradesh i.e. head of the state on issues which impact them. A group of school children participating in the programme questioned Governor about issues like child labor, HIV/AIDS, education for girls, facilities for poor children, disabled and children affected with HIV/AIDS. Governor candidly replied to their questions.
Dr Balram Jhakar Governor of Madhya Pradesh, UNICEF State Representative Hamid El Bashir and AIR Station Director also spoke on the day. Governor in his address to children at the occasion said that future of country lies in their hands. He called on the Government on the need to protect them give them all they deserved. He urged state to help overcome poverty, child labor and make sure that every child goes to school.
Hamid El Bashir State Representative of UNICEF's office for Madhya Pradesh spoke on the theme of the broadcasting day. He in his address spoke on the rights of children affected and impacted by HIV/AIDS and a need for them to be protected. He spoke on the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and about the campaign Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS. He added that the campaign calls for the young people of Madhya Pradesh and the rest of India to become alive to the cause of children affected by HIV/AIDS, to alert society to the reality that HIV/AIDS which is robbing tens of millions of children of their childhood. A copy of UNICEF's State of World's Children report 2007 was also presented to the Governor. Ms Salina Singh Project Director Madhya Pradesh State Aids Control Society, Mrs. Asha Shukla, Station Director All India Radio were also present at the occasion. In addition to this events AIR Bhopal also undertakes a regular weekly programme for children which is aired around the year.
Friday, January 5, 2007
VIKAS SAMVAD ANNOUNCES FOUR MEDIA FELLOWSHIPS
Vikas Samvad, a media advocacy group in Madhya Pradesh has called for application for third media fellowships for the mainstream hindi journalists from Madhya Pradesh. These fellowships are being supported by UNICEF, The Hunger Project and Action Aid. These fellowships will be provided to those four journalists who are willing to work on any of these following issues on a full time basis for one year in Madhya Pradesh-
- Women in Panchayati Raj and their political leadership for social change
- Women and Child rights (with special reference to Health Rights)
- Social Exclusion and Discrimination
- Universalisation of Education with qualityThese fellows will be selected by an independent jury.
This selection committee includes senior and eminent journalists/editors from Madhya Pradesh and social workers. Interested Journalists may obtain application formats from below mentioned address
Vikas Samvad
E-7/226, First Floor, Opp. Dhanvantri Complex, Arera Colony, Shahpura, Bhopal
Email- vikassamvad@gmail.com
The last date for the submission of application is 10th January 2007. For forms please contact at above address and email.
- Women in Panchayati Raj and their political leadership for social change
- Women and Child rights (with special reference to Health Rights)
- Social Exclusion and Discrimination
- Universalisation of Education with qualityThese fellows will be selected by an independent jury.
This selection committee includes senior and eminent journalists/editors from Madhya Pradesh and social workers. Interested Journalists may obtain application formats from below mentioned address
Vikas Samvad
E-7/226, First Floor, Opp. Dhanvantri Complex, Arera Colony, Shahpura, Bhopal
Email- vikassamvad@gmail.com
The last date for the submission of application is 10th January 2007. For forms please contact at above address and email.
Only 13.9 pc schools have toilets in MP
Published in the Pioneer
Bhopal, Jan 04 : Only 13.9 percent of schools in Madhya Pradesh have toilets for girls in schools at the primary level. The findings of the State Report Cards based on the figures of the year 2004-05 on the status of elementary Education in India complied by National Institute of Educational planning and administration, are revealing.
These school report cards are based on data received from 1.04 million schools spread over 58 districts in 29 states and Union Territories (UTs). This data is not only about education but also talks of many facts, which influence education in India.The report card analysis mentions that only 33.7 percent schools in category of primary and upper primary schools have girls' toilets. This is important, as a reducing gender gap is one of the major challenges, which state faces when it comes to education. Data also reveals that 11.1 percent schools are single classroom school and 26.7 percent are single teacher schools. Though state survey say that state has good enrolment rates but providing quality education and retaining children to school is an issue, probably educationist says that factors like these have huge impact on the quality of education and preventing drop out which are an issue in this state.
According to Census 2001, the Percentage of children aged 6 to 13 years attending school was found satisfactory at 66.8 percent (female) and 76 percent (male). The percentage of children in the age group of 11-13 years completing primary education was 45.8 (female), and 55 percent (male).Archana Sahay of voluntary orgnaisation 'Arambh' opined that toilet for girl students, is an essential facility in schools. The school education department should look into this problem on priority basis while education at primary level is being encouraged in the state, she added. She informed that there are over 10.50 lakh children out of school in the state, but surprisingly, the government has almost a decade old figures of only 2.50 lakh.
The government had last year launched a special campaign 'School Chalo' in the state for encouraging education in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in rural areas. State Education Centre Commissioner MK Singh said that in all the new school buildings toilets for girls are being constructed, while in the old school buildings, the facility of toilet and pure drinking water is being provided under 'Total Sanitation drive'
Bhopal, Jan 04 : Only 13.9 percent of schools in Madhya Pradesh have toilets for girls in schools at the primary level. The findings of the State Report Cards based on the figures of the year 2004-05 on the status of elementary Education in India complied by National Institute of Educational planning and administration, are revealing.
These school report cards are based on data received from 1.04 million schools spread over 58 districts in 29 states and Union Territories (UTs). This data is not only about education but also talks of many facts, which influence education in India.The report card analysis mentions that only 33.7 percent schools in category of primary and upper primary schools have girls' toilets. This is important, as a reducing gender gap is one of the major challenges, which state faces when it comes to education. Data also reveals that 11.1 percent schools are single classroom school and 26.7 percent are single teacher schools. Though state survey say that state has good enrolment rates but providing quality education and retaining children to school is an issue, probably educationist says that factors like these have huge impact on the quality of education and preventing drop out which are an issue in this state.
According to Census 2001, the Percentage of children aged 6 to 13 years attending school was found satisfactory at 66.8 percent (female) and 76 percent (male). The percentage of children in the age group of 11-13 years completing primary education was 45.8 (female), and 55 percent (male).Archana Sahay of voluntary orgnaisation 'Arambh' opined that toilet for girl students, is an essential facility in schools. The school education department should look into this problem on priority basis while education at primary level is being encouraged in the state, she added. She informed that there are over 10.50 lakh children out of school in the state, but surprisingly, the government has almost a decade old figures of only 2.50 lakh.
The government had last year launched a special campaign 'School Chalo' in the state for encouraging education in Madhya Pradesh, particularly in rural areas. State Education Centre Commissioner MK Singh said that in all the new school buildings toilets for girls are being constructed, while in the old school buildings, the facility of toilet and pure drinking water is being provided under 'Total Sanitation drive'
Tackling the Water Crisis
Mini Sharma
There is a water crisis in India, but it is particularly pressing in some states more than in others - Madhya Pradesh, for instance. The country's infrastructure for basic supplies of water for drinking and sanitation is seriously wanting, even as urban and industrial water needs increase exponentially with every passing year.
In Madhya Pradesh (MP), there is acute shortage of water in 22 of the 48 districts. Short of a complete overhaul of existing supply systems, the solutions are deliverable but necessarily less than adequate. Fortunately, efforts towards water management throughout the state, with support from UNICEF, have started yielding results better than in the past. The water conservation drive initiated by the state government in 2002, called Jalabhishek Abhiyan, is doing well in the rural areas.
What has been nationally recognized is that the future of the country's food security and the quality of the lives and livelihood of its people depends on the collective ability to conserve and utilize groundwater resources in an environmentally-friendly, economically-efficient and socially-equitable manner.The MP government is also financially assisting villagers to develop ponds, which is one of the moves towards maintaining a balance in a depleting water table. Dr Sam Godfrey, UNICEF's project officer for water and sanitation, says, "A holistic approach that involves rooftop rainwater harvesting, grey-water recycling, and reduced groundwater abstraction will solve the quality as well as the quantity demands of the state."
The average rainfall in MP is 800 mm. High rainfall between 1,100-2,200 mm occurs in the Seoni, Balaghat, Umaria, Katni, Sidhi, Panna and Satna districts; low rainfall (below 600 mm) occurs in Ratlam, Ujjain, Barwani, Khargone, Rajgarh, etc.
A good part of the land suffers from rock desiccation. A fifth of the state's area is underlain by granite gneisses and meta-sedimentary rocks; a tenth is covered by the Gondwanas, which comprise of sandstone, limestone and marble.
Tube-wells and hand-pumps are rendered useless particularly in the summer, when groundwater levels drop below 200 meters in several districts. This is when lakhs of people become dependent on conventional water sources such as ponds, bawalis (step-wells) and rivers.
The situation is so chronic that people's representatives have repeatedly raised the water crisis specter in the State Assembly, forcing the government to declare three districts - Panna, Chhattarpur and Tikamgarh - drought-hit immediately after the end of the rainy season. (When did this happen?) The groundwater level has dropped below 150 meters in these districts, for which the government has announced special financial packages for construction of ponds and water transportation facilities.
Brijendra Singh Rathore, a legislator, says that the situation in Tikamgarh district worsens every year. Despite average rainfall, nothing much has changed. Merely transporting water from nearby districts is not the solution, he says: rainwater needs to be utilized properly.
This problem is serious enough for the state to have recently gone on a water conservation drive involving grey-water reuse and rainwater harvesting. An engineer of the state's Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) claimed that awareness is being created among citizens towards water conservation.In the most basic architectural terms, this entails the construction of a special structure on the rooftops of buildings, from where rainwater debouches into an over-ground or underground water tank. This water is used for non-potable purposes such as gardening and in bathrooms.
Technological simplicity is the keyword. In the state's Dhar and Jhabua districts, UNICEF and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, have designed and implemented water management schemes that are simple enough to be operated and maintained by children's water safety clubs.These clubs have reduced water demand by 60 per cent in tribal 'ashram schools', and have been highlighted by the PHED as worth replicating throughout the state.
Pinky Bhawar, a student of class 10 in a government school in Dhar district, who shares a tribal hostel with 275 other girls, is member of a water safety club in her hostel. The club not only discusses matters of awareness of water conservation and reuse, but also helps the hostel maintain the system and keep it clean.The water reuse system in Pinky's hostel recycles wastewater from bathroom use and washing hands and reuses it for gardening and flushing toilets. The hostel also has a rainwater harvesting system in place. Apart from showcasing the fact that development functions best when it percolates down, it also means that the girls at the hostel get extra water to bathe every day.
December 24, 2006
There is a water crisis in India, but it is particularly pressing in some states more than in others - Madhya Pradesh, for instance. The country's infrastructure for basic supplies of water for drinking and sanitation is seriously wanting, even as urban and industrial water needs increase exponentially with every passing year.
In Madhya Pradesh (MP), there is acute shortage of water in 22 of the 48 districts. Short of a complete overhaul of existing supply systems, the solutions are deliverable but necessarily less than adequate. Fortunately, efforts towards water management throughout the state, with support from UNICEF, have started yielding results better than in the past. The water conservation drive initiated by the state government in 2002, called Jalabhishek Abhiyan, is doing well in the rural areas.
What has been nationally recognized is that the future of the country's food security and the quality of the lives and livelihood of its people depends on the collective ability to conserve and utilize groundwater resources in an environmentally-friendly, economically-efficient and socially-equitable manner.The MP government is also financially assisting villagers to develop ponds, which is one of the moves towards maintaining a balance in a depleting water table. Dr Sam Godfrey, UNICEF's project officer for water and sanitation, says, "A holistic approach that involves rooftop rainwater harvesting, grey-water recycling, and reduced groundwater abstraction will solve the quality as well as the quantity demands of the state."
The average rainfall in MP is 800 mm. High rainfall between 1,100-2,200 mm occurs in the Seoni, Balaghat, Umaria, Katni, Sidhi, Panna and Satna districts; low rainfall (below 600 mm) occurs in Ratlam, Ujjain, Barwani, Khargone, Rajgarh, etc.
A good part of the land suffers from rock desiccation. A fifth of the state's area is underlain by granite gneisses and meta-sedimentary rocks; a tenth is covered by the Gondwanas, which comprise of sandstone, limestone and marble.
Tube-wells and hand-pumps are rendered useless particularly in the summer, when groundwater levels drop below 200 meters in several districts. This is when lakhs of people become dependent on conventional water sources such as ponds, bawalis (step-wells) and rivers.
The situation is so chronic that people's representatives have repeatedly raised the water crisis specter in the State Assembly, forcing the government to declare three districts - Panna, Chhattarpur and Tikamgarh - drought-hit immediately after the end of the rainy season. (When did this happen?) The groundwater level has dropped below 150 meters in these districts, for which the government has announced special financial packages for construction of ponds and water transportation facilities.
Brijendra Singh Rathore, a legislator, says that the situation in Tikamgarh district worsens every year. Despite average rainfall, nothing much has changed. Merely transporting water from nearby districts is not the solution, he says: rainwater needs to be utilized properly.
This problem is serious enough for the state to have recently gone on a water conservation drive involving grey-water reuse and rainwater harvesting. An engineer of the state's Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) claimed that awareness is being created among citizens towards water conservation.In the most basic architectural terms, this entails the construction of a special structure on the rooftops of buildings, from where rainwater debouches into an over-ground or underground water tank. This water is used for non-potable purposes such as gardening and in bathrooms.
Technological simplicity is the keyword. In the state's Dhar and Jhabua districts, UNICEF and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, have designed and implemented water management schemes that are simple enough to be operated and maintained by children's water safety clubs.These clubs have reduced water demand by 60 per cent in tribal 'ashram schools', and have been highlighted by the PHED as worth replicating throughout the state.
Pinky Bhawar, a student of class 10 in a government school in Dhar district, who shares a tribal hostel with 275 other girls, is member of a water safety club in her hostel. The club not only discusses matters of awareness of water conservation and reuse, but also helps the hostel maintain the system and keep it clean.The water reuse system in Pinky's hostel recycles wastewater from bathroom use and washing hands and reuses it for gardening and flushing toilets. The hostel also has a rainwater harvesting system in place. Apart from showcasing the fact that development functions best when it percolates down, it also means that the girls at the hostel get extra water to bathe every day.
December 24, 2006
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