Sonale Cluster
Balbhavans in and around Sonale
The total number of Balbhavans operational in the academic year 2011-2012 is 10.
The status of Balbhavans as on August 1, 2011 is as follows:
Balbhavans continued from last year |
New Balbhavan |
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Tilse, Sonshiv, Dadhare, Gale, Sarshi, Nishet |
Supported by Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust |
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Sonale, Gaothan, Kasghar |
Wada |
Supported from other resources |
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Enrollment Sonale Cluster July 2011
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Balbhavan
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Grade 1
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Grade 2
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Grade 3
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Grade 4
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Total
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1. Tilse
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7
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13
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11
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15
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46
|
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2. Sonshiv
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9
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9
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10
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13
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41
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3. Gale
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7
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18
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14
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12
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51
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4. Sarshi
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12
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16
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13
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17
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58
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5. Nishet
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7
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9
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15
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12
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43
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6. Sonale
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16
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9
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21
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9
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55
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7.Gaothan
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14
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9
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9
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16
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48
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8.Kasghar
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12
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16
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11
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10
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49
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9. Dadhare
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14
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12
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16
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13
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55
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10. Wada
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8
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6
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20
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11
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45
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Total
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106
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117
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140
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128
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491
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Language:
QUEST uses the Maze Pustak series of books with the students of Grade 1 to 4. These books are specially developed to enhance the attainment of basic reading and writing skills. There are 8 books in all, each one divided into 2 units. The students are tested at the beginning of the year to find out their existing level of reading-writing, and they are placed in the appropriate unit of Maze Pustak.
In the classroom, during a typical session, the students are divided in 3-4 groups as per the units they are placed in. Even though the students may all belong to a particular school grade, their attainment of reading-writing varies, and therefore in the Balbhavan they learn through specific activities as per Maze Pustak units. The Balmitra teaches all the groups simultaneously, doing different activities to strengthen their learning of math and language.
Inputs in Mathematics
QUEST in collaboration with HBCSE has started the process of adapting their ‘Math for All’
programme for implementation in QUEST’s Balbhavans with the assistance from the author of the books, Mr. Mavlankar.
A detailed step wise schedule to teach each basic mathematical operation has been developed and is displayed in the Balbhavans so that the Balmitra can easily implement the steps.
Science curriculum
QUEST has been using the series of Science Books ‘Halke Phulke Vidnyan’ (Small Science series) developed by HBCSE in grade 3 and 4 for inputs in science.
Training of Balmitras
Regular training programmes are held in Sonale to update the Balmitra’s knowledge and to improve their skills. Inputs are given on using Maze Pustak, special activities for Halke Phulke Vidnyan and teaching math.
In addition, some inputs are given by theatre professionals on how to use body language effectively while teaching.
The following training programmes were conducted between February 2011 and July 2011:
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Dates
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Topics covered
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Resource persons
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May 1-10, 2011
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1 – 3 May – Aanganwadi training – Inputs on Language, Math and Arts
4 – 10 May – Balbhavan Training – Inputs on Maze Pustak (Book 1 – 4), Math-Number concept, basic operations, small science(grade 2)
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Meena Nimkar
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May 23 - 26, 2011
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Maze Pustak 5 -7; revision of steps for Addition and Subtraction.
On Day 3, a personality training workshop was conducted in which inputs different exercises such as voice and speech, expressions etc were conducted
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Meena Nimkar, Nilesh Nimkar
Chinmay Kelkar
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May 23 – 26, 2011
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Inputs on Small Science(part 1 and part 2) – topics included – My family, My Body, Around Me, different trees, animals around, etc.
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Meena Nimkar, Yogesh Raut, Palika More
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QUEST started operating Balbhavans in and around Sonale since 2007. In 2010 - 2011, the first batch to have entered the Balbhavans has completed 4 years of Balbhavan education. In March 2011, QUEST carried out post tests for Language for the students of Grade 1, 2 and 4.
Performance of students in Language
Grade 1
56 students from Grade 1 were administered a post test in Marathi. The results can be seen below
It can be seen that 42.86% of students have achieved above 50% marks while 57.14% are below 50%.
Grade 2
73 students from Grade 2 had been administered the post test in Marathi
From the above chart it can be seen that nearly 70% of students are above 50% while 30% have achieved marks below 50%
Grade 3
59 students from Grade 4 appeared for the post test in Marathi.
In case of grade 4 students, we can see that 78.88% of students are above 50% mark while 27.12% are below that mark.
It can be seen from the graphs that the performance of the students increases as they move up the Grades.