Kusuma Schools Partnership Initiative

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PR OJEC T DESC RIPT ION –APR IL 2014
KUSUMA SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
Partner:
The Kusuma Foundation
Location:
Sambalpur, Odisha, and
Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Target Group:
Secondary School Students,
teachers and Head teachers
Number of
Beneficiaries:
8,850 Secondary School
Students, 243 Schoolteachers
and 50 Head teachers
Grant Period:
1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015
Grant Amount:
£671,914 (1 year)
Objectives
The key objectives of the project are:
• Raising pupil attainment and examination
performance
• Building the capacity of school principals and head
teachers to inspire and support change
• Improving and modernising teaching resources and
practices
• Improving and modernising learning resources and
practices
• Creating a community of schools and educators
that model, sustain and expand good practice.
Description
The Kusuma Schools Partnership Initiative (KSPI) is a
five-year initiative to work with 25 secondary schools in
Hardoi and 25 secondary schools in Sambalpur. The
KSPI builds on RMSA standards to create and maintain
state of the art teaching, classroom practices, facilities
and infrastructure to create lasting improvements in
these schools. These schools are developing as ‘models’
to influence the implementation of RMSA in Odisha and
Uttar Pradesh. A teacher and school award programme
is also delivered in the two districts. The key aim is to
identify and reward teachers and schools that promote
excellence in teaching and demonstrate this through
student performance in examinations. The intervention
started at the beginning of the academic year 2013.
The major components of the project are:
• Infrastructure and Facilities
• Quality of teaching and learning
• Teacher and School Awards and Recognition
• Interventions with Students
• School Governance and Community
The Kusuma Resource Centre (KRC) is a space where
communities can connect with education. Teachers,
students and parents are able to access resources such
as books, resource materials, multimedia and
workshops and events. Internet access, computers and
other learning devices are available to access resources
beyond school textbooks at the centres. The KRC is a
hub for student training, academic excellence,
employability skills, and career and employment
opportunities. For teachers, head teachers and students, the
KRC provides professional development training and peer
learning opportunities through various paid and pro-bono
sources.
Progress
Baseline data for all schools has been collated in both
districts. KSPI was formally launched in Hardoi on 23
August 2013 in Sambalpur on 27 September 2013. Progress
has been made in both districts with a list of intervention
and control schools confirmed and a letter of support from
both State Governments to commence the project in each
district obtained. All 50 schools have signed consent for
participation in the project and all schools completed
individual school plans.
Latest Developments
In 2014, KSPI continues to work closely with the district
and State education departments on ways to improve
school facilities. Furniture for libraries, science and
computer laboratories and the provision of power
generators has been provided. Teaching and learning
materials were provided to 50 KSPI schools. 19 schools
have designated computer teachers and 11 schools have
computer periods in the Classes 9 & 10 timetable.
Textbooks were provided to 50 KSPI schools in Sambalpur
and Hardoi and each school established a book bank. 34
volunteer teachers in Hardoi and Sambalpur collectively
taught 3,596 sessions.
In the KRCs, a total of 550 students and 116 teachers
participated in events in Sambalpur and 352 students and
122 teachers participated in events in Hardoi in January to
March 2014.
Supported by

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