Current Programs
1. “The Thane Study Group”
The Thane Study Group was formed by few educationists and animators working in the field of education in Thane district. The purpose of this group was to bridge the gap between practical and theoretical work in the field of education.
This open group is a platform for critical and candid dialogue on education and various issues related to education in tribal, rural and urban areas. This group ensures an academic rigour to all the education related work undertaken by QUEST.
2. “Maze Pustak”
“Maze Pustak” is a programme for teaching of beginning reading-writing in Marathi. It is a series of graded booklets to be used by students from grade 1 and 2. This programme focuses on learning of basic reading and writing by making it relevant to the local context, child-friendly and enjoyable.
QUEST has started producing this series of 8 booklets and a handbook for teachers on how to use them. Teachers, using these booklets, are supported through training workshops and interactive website.
At present the programme is being implemented in 51 Marathi as well as English medium schools in tribal, rural and urban areas across Maharashtra.
3. “Grameen Balbhavan”
The “Grameen Balbhavan” is a learning support center independent of the village school. As part of this “Grameen Balbhavan” following activities are regularly undertaken:
- “Balmitra”: Interested local youth are trained to support children in education through this Balbhavan. They act as mentors for the village children by spending time with them on a regular basis and assist them in their education.
- Education attainment: Through these support centers, the Balmitra assist children in improving their education attainment levels in language, mathematics and environment studies. Periodic tests are conducted to assess these levels.
- “Chhanda Varga”: An avenue for the children to nurture their hobbies. Children are assisted and encouraged to take up extra-curricular activities like sports, sky-gazing, bird watching and understanding the bio-diversity in the immediate surrounding.
At the present moment, 7 villages of Wada tehsil in Thane district have such “Grameen Balbhavan”.
4. Teacher Training
Training workshops are conducted for primary school teachers on:
Teaching Mathematics in elementary schools (Part I and II)
Teaching of beginning reading-writing.
Teaching elementary geography.
QUEST has trained more than 300 teachers in schools across Maharashtra and Karnataka during 2007 alone.
5. Anganwadi strengthening programme
Anganwadi is a centre at the village level introduced under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) of government of India wherein pregnant and lactating women and village children between the age group of 0 to 5 years are supported on health, nutrition, basic education and school preparedness. Usually a literate woman from the women is appointed by the government to manage the Anganwadi.
As part of the Anganwadi strengthening programme, QUEST trains Anganwadi workers for implementing pre-school education programmes. As part of this programme, on-site support is provided to Anganwadi workers in 6 villages through an Anganwadi mentor.