Written by Suraj Kumar—Project Manager, India

On the invitation of a school’s headmaster, I participated in a meeting for teachers and parents called by a group of educators from our block last week. The purpose of the meeting was to motivate parents and teachers to interact regularly in order to improve their schools — a welcomed step after our previous intervention in schools. The two teachers who started the mission of holding these meetings are organizing these events in different schools in the district once a week.

The meeting was held at 2 pm, which is after school hours in Mohammad Baad School. More than 20 teachers from 10 different schools attended, along with 70 parents (including 10 women) participating. Women’s participation in meetings in Mewat villages is an unusual occurrence, and was greatly appreciated.

It was surprising that a headmaster accused of charging parents illegally (claiming the charges were to cover fees and books) started the meeting with a message that the teachers of schools should become models of honesty, and perform their duty sincerely.  Another headmaster spoke at length to motivate parents to visit the school at least twice a week to discuss their child’s performance. One teacher requested the parents teach good hygiene habits, such as teeth brushing, bathing and fingernail trimming. This same teacher also asked the parents to send their children to school only after checking their children’s school bags and diaries for homework. The homework diaries are not put into general practice in the area, but the teachers promised to start the practice soon.

I asked the participating parents — especially the women — to ask the teachers questions and even voice any complaints they had, as this was the best forum to raise their grievances. The parents were happy the teachers have at least begun to interact with the community. The village’s Sarpanch (leader) thanked White Lotus for encouraging teachers to face the community in person as a group, instead of addressing parent-teacher matters only on paper. The meeting participants were offered tea and snacks at the event’s conclusion.
The two teachers initiating these meetings have also thanked White Lotus for their participation, and in turn asked me to attend all of their future meetings for better group cooperation and mutual support. These teachers (Mr. Shamuddin and Mr. Mukut) also suggested that we organize a sports competition for girls-only from 10 primary schools of the block. This competition would come along with help from White Lotus sponsoring refreshments gifts to children as prizes, which will certainly encourage and boost the girls’ enrollment in schools in Mewat — a serious problem presently.

More pictures of the meeting can be viewed here.

natural antibiotics

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications in modern medicine. Antibiotics cure disease by killing or injuring bacteria. The first antibiotic was penicillin, discovered accidentally from a mold culture. Today, over 100 different antibiotics are available to doctors to cure minor discomforts as well as life-threatening infections.

Although antibiotics are useful in a wide variety of infections, it is important to realize that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics List are useless against viral infections (for example, the common cold) and fungal infections (such as ringworm). Your doctor can best determine if an antibiotic is right for your condition. cipro antibiotic

Filed under: Education on September 4th, 2008