253 million adolescents in India cross the threshold from childhood into livelihood, only one third of them will have higher secondary qualification (DISE 2014-15). Of these, only 2 in 5 will have the soft-skills necessary for employment (India Skills Report, 2016). SCALE model provides solution to such problems through innovative & scalable approach by institutionalizing the process in schools.
Magic Bus signs an MoU with state Education Department and seeks permission to partner with Government system. Two teachers are selected from each school. Teachers are trained through intensive training & handholding process to facilitate life skill program. All adolescents in Grade 6 to 10 from targeted schools are enrolled to ensure saturation. Project is anchored in the school and it involves interaction with parents, schools, PRIs, youth clubs. Community, Government departments which serves as a platform for creating an enabling environment to school continuation for boys & girls. Well researched, evidence based and activity based life skills curriculum focus on communication, problem solving, team work, managing self, learning to learn, work readiness resulting in resilience, self-efficacy. This help them to prepare for the world of work. We work closely with Education departments for designing, implementing, knowledge transfer which brings sustainability by 3rd year of project.
SCALE program started in 2019 in 3 blocks of 1 district in Maharashtra, since then it has spread to 15 blocks of 3 districts in 2 states (2 districts of Maharashtra - Chandrapur and Bhandara; Aiwak in Mizoram). We have signed MoU with both these states' Education Department. It has built capacities of 2033 teachers in 1055 government schools and benefitted 95,000 adolescents. We have recently working with Andhra Pradesh Education Department to reach to one more district.
As discussion with relevant government departments has been going on, SCALE shall soon cover 4 more states in the next 1 years covering 200,000 adolescents. MoUs with state Government gives the proof of the concept and efficiency of SCALE program.
MB curriculum is time tested and has generated evidence over a period of 20 years. One needs to have a robust curriculum and content with a low cost module and buy in from the concerned government departments. SCALE is a cost effective model, as low as INR 750 (less than USD 10) per child for a year.
Operations/ Program Development/ Institutional partnership team can be contacted to learn more.
