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The Olcott Memorial High School (OMHS) in Besant Nagar, Chennai, established in 1894, is dedicated to providing free education and holistic development for socially and economically disadvantaged children. With a current enrollment of 632 students, the school aims to address challenges such as inadequate nutrition and domestic violence by offering quality education, vocational skills, and health support. To continue its impactful initiatives, OMHS seeks financial support for teacher salaries and health programs, totaling INR 14 lakhs for the next two years.
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Olcott Memorial High School Besant Nagar Chennai-90 Fund Raising Proposal January 2009
Established 1894 Location: Theosophical Society Campus, Besant Nagar, Chennai Olcott Memorial High School (OMHS) • Free school for socially and economically less privileged children • School seeks to remedy built-in disabilities of environment and nutrition • Co-education • Classes I through X • Tamil medium • Boys:Girls = 37:26 • Student strength = 632
OMHS Context • Children from nearby slums: fisherfolk, coolies, housemaids etc • Homes of children • Annual income of Rs. 15-20 thousand • Rampant domestic violence, alcoholism, women & child abuse OMHS seeks to provide a vibrant, happy environment for holistic learning
Curriculum • Affiliated to the Tamil Nadu State Board • Tamil - first language • English -second language • Maths, Science, Social Sciences subjects • Students appear for SSLC (Class X) certificate examinations after 10 years of schooling • Students of Class VIII – X learn vocational skills • Tailoring, Embroidery, Drawing and painting, Food preservation and baking, Carpentry, Book binding, Screen Printing, Fabric design, Jewellery making
Initiatives • Nutrition program • Mid-day meal enriched with sambhar, rice, vegetables • Breakfast at 9:30 am of Kanji (ragi, cereals, pulses) • Classroom provisions • All students provided with good quality notebooks • TN Govt covers 100% of textbook needs • Uniforms: 2 good quality uniforms/year/student
Initiatives • Technology Aided Learning (TAL) • Projection equipment and digital lessons to enrich learning of maths, science, social studies • Special Program for English and Language Learning (SPELL) • To help students with comprehension, oral and written expression in English • Primary Resource Centre • To improve social and thinking skills through educational games and associated activities • Library – Reasonable collection • Games and Sports –Large playground
Teachers: The School’s Lifeline • Teachers come from community in and around Adyar • Teachers interested in education of under-privileged children Committed teachers are responsible for the unique set of initiatives in the school
Issues that need support • Teacher and Staff Salaries • Average teacher salary stands at Rs. 2500/month • Average staff salary stands at Rs. 1350/month • Most teachers struggle to sustain families • Many well-trained teachers leave • Health and Nutrition • Parents cannot take care of sick children at home • Supporting medical expenses is increasingly demanding • School pays for 3-5 days of medicines, plasters etc • Free eye check-up, special equipment for the disabled provided
Proposal • Salaries • Raise average teacher salary from Rs. 3250/month to Rs. 5000/month over 2 years • Raise average support staff salary from Rs. 1800/month to Rs. 2100/month over 3 years • Increase annual health and nutrition budget by 15%
Proposal Continuing Impact • Retention of teachers • Continued medical support to students • Budget Implications • 15% increase in 2010-11 over 2009-10 • From Rs 36.8 lakh/year to Rs. 42 lakh/year • 15% increase in 2011-12 over 2010-11 • From Rs. 42 lakh/year to Rs. 48 lakh/year
Support Sought from Asha for Education • Increased budget needs 2010-2011 = INR 7 lakh • Increased budget needs 2011-2012 = INR7 lakh • Total support for 2 years = Rs14 lakhs =USD 31000 @ Rs 45 to I USD