Satyam Foundation: Education Forum

It is said that the foundation of every state is the education of its children and youth. Unfortunately, the Indian education system—government schools, in particular—is dismal. Dramatic improvements are needed in the quality of education, infrastructure, teacher motivation, and student performance.

The Education Forum of Satyam Foundation focuses on improving the quality of education in primary schools, upper primary schools, and high schools run by the government through various initiatives and service offerings.

North Star Statement

The Foundation improved all-round classroom performance by 10 percent by March 2007, an initiative that affected 32,000 students from 250 Schools in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, and Pune.

Forum service offerings include:

1. Learning to Read (Pratham Methodology): This 45-day learning to read program ensures that primary school children who have completed six years can read, write, and do arithmetic with age-appropriate competency.

In alliance with SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan) and Pratham, the Satyam Foundation implemented this methodology in 52 schools in two mandals: Secunderabad and Ameerpet in 2005. After implementing the program, overall improvement was about 11 percent. Additionally, 200 teachers were trained in the methodology.

2. Kidsmart: The IBM KidSmart Early Learning Program is a Corporate Community Relations initiative from IBM. It uses effective, up-to-date hardware, software and educational materials to give children attending pre-school centers and primary schools enriched stimulation.

The objective of this program is to:

• Offer children from low socioeconomic communities quality learning opportunities in their pre- and primary school years
• Offer teachers access to the latest educational methodologies and technology
• Help disadvantaged children from 3 to 8
• Focus on developing reading, cognitive, and creative skills

This is the only program in India aimed at introducing technology at pre- and primary school levels. KidSmart centers have been installed in two schools in Ameerpet and Secunderabad. Teachers are being trained to run these centers.

3. Science Kits: Many Government school labs are ill-equipped, or lack labs for scientific experiments. To make science interesting, Satyam Foundation, in alliance with Aid India, distributed the Eureka Science Education Kits to 25 Government upper primary schools. These kits, comprising 100 experiments with an instruction manual and teacher training, enable a hands-on approach that nurtures interest and improves grades. Orientation classes and workshops were conducted to sixth- and seventh-grade teachers.

4. Furniture Distribution: In an attempt to improve infrastructure in government schools, 400 dual desks were distributed in alliance with the Rotary Club. About 5,000 children from 18 schools have benefited.

5. Computer distribution: Satyam distributed 150 computers to 35 schools in Hyderabad.

6. Inclusive Education for Disabled Children: Disabled children—8,243 from 70 schools—were screened in alliance with SSA. Volunteers helped with screening. Medical camps will be conducted for these children.

7. Notebook Distribution:

Though the government provides textbooks for children studying in its schools, they lack notebooks, which are essential to learning and writing. Satyam conducts Notebooks Drives at various locations, and contributes the books to these youngsters. Associates motivate their colleagues to take part in this cause and created notebook kits for students.

No. of Kits raised for Academic Year 2005-2006: 4,944
No. of Kits raised for Academic Year 2006-2007: 3,528

M7 groups have distributed 41,220 notebooks and 690 slates. Additionally, 55 all-in-one guides were given to students at one school.

8. Summer Camps: Summer camp was conducted for the eighth- and ninth-grade students of 20 schools; 380 students participated in the camp. Forty Satyam Associates imparted social and life skills to these children, including games, computer and communication skills, meditation, yoga, hygiene, etc.

9. Inter-School competitions: In the “Save Energy Competition,” the Education Forum and Environment Forum conducted workshops for students from 14 government schools with the help of 22 volunteers and Associates. Fourteen students from these schools won Rs.7300 in the competition against private schools.

10. Motivational Tours: In an attempt to expose students to corporate culture, motivate them to aspire to a better life, and give them glimpses of India’s rich heritage and culture. We took 379 students and 23 teachers from 11 schools on motivational tours to the Satyam Technology Center, Birla Planetarium, Salarjung Museum.

11. 15 Magnificient Seven (M7) teams, comprising 88 volunteers and 90 unique volunteers for special events, took part in notebook distribution, visits to schools, inter-school competitions, special weekend classes, computer distribution, motivation tours, etc.

12. Play for Peace: Play for Peace is a global organization in its 10th year that unites children and organizations from communities in conflict. As part of our community development initiatives, we use play to promote relationships among people whose communities suffer from a history of cross-cultural tensions.

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