Alternative & Innovative Education (AIE/MGLC)

          Alternative and innovative education(AIE) is one of the major interventions of SSA to provide access for all children to primary education. Various strategies has been developed for ensuring participation of children of marginalised and deprived groups in tribal and coastal areas. In kerala, Alternate schools for the primary education is of more than 13172 children . The educational volunteer equipped with general pedagogy and classroom teaching learning process are giving support to the children in self learning. More than 1000 children yearly are mainstreaming from these centres to formal schools. For strengthening these centres and promoting enrolment and retention, variety of activities had been implemented. Teaching learning material grant, maintenence grant, exposure trip and noon meal programme are the major activities. AIE is provided to out of school children in inaccessible and difficult areas without access to elementary education. SSA, Kerala provides education upto LP level to 13172 children. The coverage of children during 2007-2008 to through a net work of 559 Alternative and Innovative Education Centres.

The activities implemented for out of school children through 559 centres primarily are the following.

  • Preparation and supply of Self Learning Materials to AIE Centres. This    has facilitated easy learning to children.
  • Familiarisation training programme on Self Learning Materials to    Education volunteers.
  • There are 559 Education Volunteers in position and were provided with    15 days training during 2007-2008.
  • Moreover a team of Education Volunteers were taken to Rishivali    Andhrapradesh to study their experiments which added further to their    knowledge.
  • Free supply of text books ensured to all students.
  • Mid-day meals provided to all children in AIE Centres. The food    materials as per Mid-day meals norms was received from the    Department of Education. The contingency expenditure was met from    SSA funds.
  • Basic minimum infrastructure facilities like temporary toilets, drinking    water, sheds, ensured so as toprovide a healthy and clean environment    for the education of children.
  • Utensils Kitchen vessels were provided to centres and children.
  • Convergence with SC/ST Departments, uniforms, scholarships and    school requisites provided to SC/ST children. A strong rapport with the    departments of SC/ST made. This in turn facilitated availing all
       entitlements to the children of SC/STs.
  • Free boarding and lodging of children arranged.
  • During 2007-2008 471 children who completed LP level education were    mainstreamed.
  • Exposure trips organised for 280 children in AIE Centres. The exposure    trips covered important places within the funds available.
  • AIE Centre fete conducted to children similar to that of Youth Festivals    in Schools. This was a two day event which was enjoyed by the    childrens community and parents. Competitions were conducted and    prizes distributed.A brief assessment on the attainment of children in    AIE Centres would give interesting finding that the childrenare doing    well as compared to children studying in formal schools. During    2007- 2008, 15 students from Ernakulamdistrict participated in the    Bharat Scout Programme held in Andhrapradesh. Out of 13172 children    enrolled in AIE Centres, SC/ST children constituted 7508.