The Outreach Program

At Sethu we believe that our work must extend beyond the four walls of the centre to reach out to a greater number of children.

Sethu has forged close links with Navnirmiti, Mumbai and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Goa in an innovative and exciting educational venture. The Universal Active Maths (UAM) program developed by Navnirmiti has revolutionized the teaching of primary school Mathematics.

Many children hate Maths! The reason for this may lie in the methods used in traditional Maths teaching in schools, with its reliance on rote learning and a lack of focus on the proper understanding of basic Maths concepts. UAM is a solution for this problem.

The main features of the UAM program are:

1. It does not replace but strengthens the existing system.
2. It works within the existing syllabus.
3. It can be implemented in resource poor environments.
4. It substantially enhances Maths understanding in teachers and students and increases achievement levels in all mathematical competencies.

This is achieved through a systematic and structured sequence of 'learning by doing' to promote the understanding of all the basic Maths concepts.A pilot project was initiated in October 2007 by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in collaboration with Navnirmiti and Sethu to introduce the UAM program to 124 primary schools in the remote Sanguem block. The success of this project led to the expansion of the UAM program to Sattari and Canacona talukas since 2008.

At present, the project reaches out to almost 10,000 school children studying in the Government primary schools in the 3 talukas. Over 500 primary school teachers have received training in the UAM method. Finally, Mathematics is fun both for students and teachers!

The monitoring of this program and guidance to the teachers is provided by the Sethu team comprising of Dr Priti Bakre, with ample support from Navnirmiti resource persons. Teacher training and support is being provided on a regular basis through workshops and supervision. The Navnirmiti-Sethu team works very closely with the personnel from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Dept. of Education in Goa to ensure that the program reaches every child studying in all the Govt. primary schools in the 3 UAM project talukas.

Most children studying in Government Primary Schools (GPS) in Goa, are educated in a vernacular language (Marathi or Konkani), which is the medium of instruction, while English is taught as a second language.

Over a period of 4 years, students are expected to learn to understand, speak, read and write English. When children reach the 5th standard, most of them are then required to learn in English, which becomes the medium of instruction. Therefore a high level of competency in English is necessary in middle school. Unfortunately, this level of English competency is rarely acquired by children studying in Government primary schools (GPS) in our state. This leads to scholastic failure and eventual school dropout. English is Fun is an attempt to reverse this cycle of faiure. The project seeks to develop a structured program to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) in government primary schools in Goa. Sethu is collaborating with Bookworm, a children's library and Spandan, which works in the field of learning disabilities.

The project is being implemented in GPS Paithona, a single teacher school in Bardez, Goa, where there are 19 children studying in Std 1 to 4. English immersion activities are conducted daily, and through the whole language approach, as well as a structured graded literacy program using phonics, sight reading, drawing and writing the children are learning English meaningfully.

Technical consultation is another way of reaching out to children in the community. Sethu has created a network of preschools that practice inclusive education and provides technical support and teacher training. Consultations for behavior management and the formulation of individualized educational programs for children with special needs are an important service too. Schools which we have worked with include Jnyan Vikas and Shree Niketan (Alto Porvorim), Fairyland School (Goa Velha & Batim), Rainbow School (Mapuca), Little Dolphins (Nachinola), Lemon Tree (Taleigao), Sharada Mandir (Miramar), Rosary School (Miramar), People's High School (Panaji), Nisha's Play School (Alto Torda) Teddy Tots (Caranzalem), Lok Chetna and Little Penguins (Panaji), Watoto Play Group (Vasco) and Sunshine School (Old Goa).