Projects for the Year 2003
Two high schools for girls were identified that merited support: Sarada Vidyalaya Girls Higher Secondary School, in T’Nagar, Chennai, India with about 2400 students, and The Lady Sivaswami Girls Higher Secondary School in Mylapore, Chennai, India with about 1500 students. Both these schools are government- aided, which means that the state government pays the teacher and staff salaries, but all other expenses of running the school are covered by tuition fees from the students.
The Board of KEY International Foundation approved establishing new scholarships for 8 girls in each of the above 2 schools for a total of 16 girls. The girls’ families are poor and earn an income of about $30 per month. Each girl will be given a scholarship that will pay her tuition fees of about $26 per year for a period of 5 years, subject to her academic performance. The Board expects to approve the funding for the 6th year as well, when funds become available, so that these girls will be able to complete their high school diploma.
To monitor the performance of these students and the proper use of the funds, the program will be administered through Dr. Nandiha Krishna, Director of the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, a well established nonprofit organization based in Chennai, India (www.cprfoundation.org). She has been running a similar program and has successfully supported over 90 students since 1997. KEY International will not be charged any administrative fees by her. Bala Batavia will also plan on visiting India once a year (at his own expense) and follow the progress of the project. Additionally, an annual report will required to be provided by the C.P. Ramaswami Foundation to KEY International Foundation to maintain accountability.
In spite of the great efforts and sacrifices made by many poor families (whose family incomes are about $30 a month) to send their children to these government-aided schools, there is a considerable dropout rate among these girls. Typically, the girls drop out after the 7th grade, when they are about 12 to 13 years old. This is the age where they can help out at home or help their families in their small businesses (e.g. many families eke out a minimal living as street vendors selling flowers, vegetables, etc). A discussion with the teachers and the principals of these schools and also with Dr. Nanditha Krishna, suggested that the best way to help educate these children and prevent their dropping out of school is to guarantee their tuition support for a period of 6 years, from the 7th grade until they complete the 12th grade.
There are several advantages to supporting these girls. The poor families have shown a strong interest and initiative in sending their children to these schools, even though it would affect them financially. Thus, the chance of success for these girls is much higher. The schools have a mix of students, with a large proportion from primarily the middle-income families (family incomes of about $120-150 per month). This allows the poor girls to mix and compete with these middle-income girls and thereby have access to good quality education. The schools are well established and have dedicated teachers and principals. Research has shown that supporting education of girls at the high school level in developing countries results in lower birth rate, and therefore better care for their children and family.
Photographs of some of these girls and the schools are posted below. Bala Batavia had the opportunity of visiting the homes of 4 of these girls and meeting with their mothers. They were all obviously very grateful that KEY International Foundation was considering helping their daughters. Many of these families lived in small homes of about 120 to 200 square feet (housing about 4 members).
Both these schools have many more students that could be helped in a similar way. There are also scores of other schools (both for boys' and girls') in the Chennai area alone that could merit support. As Key International Foundation collects more funds, these could become a part of future projects.
By U.S. standards, the support for a full year’s quality education of a poor child in India is no more than $26 per year (the approximate cost of a large pizza!!). KEY International Foundation would appreciate any help and donation from you to support and expand our projects.
Two high schools for girls were identified that merited support: Sarada Vidyalaya Girls Higher Secondary School, in T’Nagar, Chennai, India with about 2400 students, and The Lady Sivaswami Girls Higher Secondary School in Mylapore, Chennai, India with about 1500 students. Both these schools are government- aided, which means that the state government pays the teacher and staff salaries, but all other expenses of running the school are covered by tuition fees from the students.
The Board of KEY International Foundation approved establishing new scholarships for 8 girls in each of the above 2 schools for a total of 16 girls. The girls’ families are poor and earn an income of about $30 per month. Each girl will be given a scholarship that will pay her tuition fees of about $26 per year for a period of 5 years, subject to her academic performance. The Board expects to approve the funding for the 6th year as well, when funds become available, so that these girls will be able to complete their high school diploma.
To monitor the performance of these students and the proper use of the funds, the program will be administered through Dr. Nandiha Krishna, Director of the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, a well established nonprofit organization based in Chennai, India (www.cprfoundation.org). She has been running a similar program and has successfully supported over 90 students since 1997. KEY International will not be charged any administrative fees by her. Bala Batavia will also plan on visiting India once a year (at his own expense) and follow the progress of the project. Additionally, an annual report will required to be provided by the C.P. Ramaswami Foundation to KEY International Foundation to maintain accountability.
In spite of the great efforts and sacrifices made by many poor families (whose family incomes are about $30 a month) to send their children to these government-aided schools, there is a considerable dropout rate among these girls. Typically, the girls drop out after the 7th grade, when they are about 12 to 13 years old. This is the age where they can help out at home or help their families in their small businesses (e.g. many families eke out a minimal living as street vendors selling flowers, vegetables, etc). A discussion with the teachers and the principals of these schools and also with Dr. Nanditha Krishna, suggested that the best way to help educate these children and prevent their dropping out of school is to guarantee their tuition support for a period of 6 years, from the 7th grade until they complete the 12th grade.
There are several advantages to supporting these girls. The poor families have shown a strong interest and initiative in sending their children to these schools, even though it would affect them financially. Thus, the chance of success for these girls is much higher. The schools have a mix of students, with a large proportion from primarily the middle-income families (family incomes of about $120-150 per month). This allows the poor girls to mix and compete with these middle-income girls and thereby have access to good quality education. The schools are well established and have dedicated teachers and principals. Research has shown that supporting education of girls at the high school level in developing countries results in lower birth rate, and therefore better care for their children and family.
Photographs of some of these girls and the schools are posted below. Bala Batavia had the opportunity of visiting the homes of 4 of these girls and meeting with their mothers. They were all obviously very grateful that KEY International Foundation was considering helping their daughters. Many of these families lived in small homes of about 120 to 200 square feet (housing about 4 members).
Both these schools have many more students that could be helped in a similar way. There are also scores of other schools (both for boys' and girls') in the Chennai area alone that could merit support. As Key International Foundation collects more funds, these could become a part of future projects.
By U.S. standards, the support for a full year’s quality education of a poor child in India is no more than $26 per year (the approximate cost of a large pizza!!). KEY International Foundation would appreciate any help and donation from you to support and expand our projects.