A survey initiated during summer vacation is still in progress for enrolling out of schoolgirl children in the age group of 10 to 14 from BPL (Below Poverty Line) families in the six KGBVs (Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya) in the district, and two in Tirupur district administered under Erode SSA (Sarva Siksha Abhiyan).
Schools with residential buildings have been constructed for all the KGBV schools: at Pallipalayam in Anthiyur bock run by Pasam; at Sokkumaripalayam in Nambiyur block run by Society for Women and Youth Development (SWYD); at Nanjai Puliyampatti in T.N. Palayam block run by Murugan Educational and Medical Trust, Erode; at Kurichi in Ammapettai block run by Pasam, at Peramium (Tirupur district) in Mulanur block run by Citizen Charitable Trust; at Thondamudhur (Tirupur district) in Kundadam block by Sri Aathithya Trust; Kumarapalayam in Sathyamangalam block by Sri Palaniappa Educational Trust (SPET); and Government Girls' Higher Secondary School in Talavadi run by Sri Annai illam Education and Charitable Trust, it is learnt.
These Educationally Backward Blocks (EBB) where rural female literacy is below national average (46.13 per cent) according to 2001 census were identified under the SSA-RTE (Right to Education) Act.
State-wide, there are 61 residential schools in 12 districts.
Students enrolled in these schools are taught through five full-time teachers, and are provided with free uniforms, nutritious food, notebooks and books.
Besides, a stipend of Rs. 50 a child is deposited in the post office, and the girls are also given insurance coverage.
Never enrolled and those who had dropped out at primary level are being taught through ABL (Activity-Based Learning) method, and for those from Standards VI to VIII, ALM (Active Learning Methodology) is followed. Under the scheme, students are also initiated into vocational training, and learning of music and computers.
Students who pass out of these schools are being enrolled in hostels run under RMSA (Rastriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan).
According to NGOs associated with the running of the schools, KGBV schools have brought about substantial change in the outlook of the girl students, be it in developing healthy habits or improving their social and communication skills.
Training for the teachers of KGBV schools is coordinated by the District Institute of Education and Training, and Block Resource Centres.
Block Resource Teachers have been involved in surveying villages where tribal people, and Scheduled Castes live to identify eligible girl children for the schools.
An SSA team from Chennai will be visiting the KGBV schools in the district in a week's time to take stock of the progress in enrolment and other activities.
