FAQ
About Vidyarambam
- How old is Vidyarambam?
- Who is responsible for the functioning of Vidyarambam?
- In which Indian states has Vidyarambam started centers?
- What is the current status of Vidyarambam's efforts?
- What are Vidyarambam's plans to become sustainable in the long-term?
- What does the press have to say about Vidyarambam?
Monitoring and Feedback
- How do you monitor the operations?
- How does Vidyarambam evaluate the learning process?
- Do you get feed back whether the kids after completing Vidyarambam join the regular schools?
- Do the kids receive any certificate for having attended Vidyarambam?
Tutors
- How are the tutors chosen?
- Do tutors receive any training on joining Vidyarambam?
- Do the tutors receive any salary?
Classes
- When are the classes held?
- Where are the classes held?
- What kind of books do the libraries have?
- What is the methodology employed to teach language?
Materials
- Where does Vidyarambam procure its learning materials from?
- What happens to the materials given to the children and the center?
Volunteering
- How can I volunteer my free time for the service of Vidyarambam?
- Can I visit any of your centers?
- Are the volunteers salaried people?
- What is the requirement to become a member of the board?
Sponsors and Donations
- Who are the main sponsors of Vidyarambam?
- Can I support just one child? How much would it cost?
- Can I sponsor a center for one term? How much would it cost?
- Is my donation exempted from Income-Tax?
- Do you have FCRA clearance?
- Is 7% a reasonable amount for administrative expense?
| About Vidyarambam | ||
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A: It was started in February 2002. |
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Q: Who is responsible for the functioning of Vidyarambam? A: Vidyarambam has a board of Trustees who oversee the entire effort. A number of other people are involved including State Co-ordinators, Regional Co-ordinators, District Co-ordinators, Assessors, Tutors and Administratve Assistant, Explorers and Volunteers. |
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Q: In which Indian states has Vidyarambam started centers? A: Only in Tamil Nadu, the southern-most state of India. |
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Q: What is the current status of Vidyarambam's efforts? A: As of June 2004, Vidyarambam centers have been opened in 14 out of the 30 districts of Tamil Nadu. |
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Q: What are Vidyarambam's plans to become sustainable in the long-term? A: As of February 2004, with a view to involve the community also in this effort of providing literacy, Vidyarambam has redefined its policy of giving free education is such a manner that the community and the parents also will share the cost after some point of time. Read more... |
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Q: What does the press have to say about Vidyarambam? A: A number of articles have appeared in local and national newspapers. |
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| Monitoring and Feedback | ||
Q: How do you monitor the operations? A: We conduct a number of follow-up visits. |
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Q: How does Vidyarambam evaluate the learning process? A: Independent evaluators conduct an objective evaluation of each child using an Evaluation Sheet. |
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Q: Do you get feed back whether the kids after completing Vidyarambam join the regular schools? A: We receive reports from the schools saying that Vidyarambam kids stand out. |
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Q: Do the kids receive any certificate for having attended Vidyarambam? A: At the end of the term, the kids are evaluated and given a Certificate. |
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| Classes | ||
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A: Two hours a day, usually 4-6 p.m. Some parents ask for longer duration but we explain to them that Vidyaramabam is not a day-care center and we intend to maintain the present timing as it is effective. |
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Q: Where are the classes held? A: We ask the villagers to find a suitable place - usually, it tends to be the tutor's own home or sometimes, under a tree. |
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Q: What kind of books do the libraries have? A: They are stocked with story books suitable for children at different levels. |
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Q: What is the methodology employed to teach language? A: Vidyarambam has adopted Prof. Nannan's tried and tested methodology which aims to introduce to children one "object of learning" at a given time and move from the known to the unknown. |
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| Materials | |
Q: Where does Vidyarambam procure its learning materials from? A: All learning materials have been developed in-house by Vidyarambam, to ensure quality, relevance and cogency. |
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Q: What happens to the materials given to the children and the center? A: The children keep their own kit while the center continues to use its materials for future classes. A library of books is also being set up in each center. |
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| Volunteering | ||
Q: How can I volunteer my free time for the service of Vidyarambam? A: Thank you for your interest! Your help is welcome and you could aid us in many ways. Please read more about how you can get involved and then complete the application form. We look forward to your involvement. |
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Q: Can I visit any of your centers? A: We welcome any volunteer who wishes to visit Vidyarambam centers. Find out how you can get involved. |
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Q: Are the volunteers salaried people? A: Yes. Except the members of board of Trustees all others are paid employees. Since most them have joined Vidyarambam with a devotion to the cause of poor children education, some incentive is paid. Apart from that their traveling expense is met by the Organisation. A loan scheme is introduced for the field volunteers to buy a bicycle or motorcycle on interest free easy repay program. |
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Q: What is the requirement to become a member of the board? A: To passionately accept the mission of Vidyarambam; Proven ability in areas like Fund raising and Project planning; Able to support with self donations at times of dearth of funds |
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| Sponsors and Donations | |
Q: Who are the main sponsors of Vidyarambam? A: Vidyarambam has been supported by a number of institutions and individuals, including HCL, Lions Club, GE Elfun, Rotary Club and Pratham India Education Initiative. Read more. |
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Q: Can I support just one child? How much would it cost? A: Yes. If you indicate the district in which you would like to support a child we shall furnish a list of centers functioning in the district. Then you can choose a center and support one of the children there. It will cost between 700 and 1000 rupees depending upon the child chosen. |
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Q: Can I sponsor a center for one term? How much would it cost? A: Yes. If you indicate the district in which you would like to adopt a center we shall furnish a list of centers functioning in the district. Then you can choose a center and adopt the same. For one of the existing centers it may cost between 10,000 and 12,000 rupees. If you wish to adopt a new center to be launched, it will cost 15,000 rupees. |
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Q: Is my donation exempted from Income-Tax? A: All donations are eligible for tax exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961 - Valid upto March 31, 2009. |
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Q: Do you have FCRA clearance? A: YES, VIDYARAMBAM has obtained FCRA clearance and can receive funds from Outside India.For more details, please contact us. |
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Q: Is 7% a reasonable amount for administrative expense? A: Yes, this is an internationally accepted percentage by NGOs and donors. |
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