Description
Children from the village of Nayagaon in India struggled with their education. The issue was not that they did not have a school to attend or that they were absent. In this case, lack of motivation and dedication of teachers and parents resulted in poor teaching and quality of education. Without the involvement of parents and an active Parents and Teachers’ Association, children were falling behind in their schooling.
Community members were aware of the situation, but were not knowledgeable of what they could do about it.
World Vision’s Area Development Project (ADP) engaged volunteers from different communities in trainings on the Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) methodology. The participants were also introduced to both the Right to Information and the Right to Education acts. They learned about citizens’ entitlements and how to hold their government accountable for their rights.
Laxman was the community member from Nayagaon that attended the training. He is a disabled individual that, even after earning a college degree, did not know about his rights and benefits as a disabled citizen. Learning how to use the CVA approach empowered Laxman to seek information about what he and his fellow villagers were entitled to receive as benefits.
Back in his community, Laxman was able to examine the situation of the village school and identify problems concerning teachers’ inappropriate practices. His next step was to take the community’s complains to the Sub Divisional Magistrate at the Block level. Local authorities thus performed disciplinary actions towards those teachers.
As a result, those teachers became more responsible in coming to school and attending to the needs of their students. Staff from the education department have been monitoring teachers’ performance and holding them accountable for their duties.
CVA not only has enabled the community to attain better schooling for children, but has also been a key tool for Laxman to receive benefits.
Before learning about the CVA approach, the 32-year-old lived secluded from community life and could not participate in regular activities due to his physical limitations.
Laxman utilized the CVA approach to learn more about his rights and actually attain them. He did not know, for example, that he could get bus and train passes with a disability certificate. Empowered, Laxman formed a group that teaches other disabled people about their rights and encourages them to speak up and hold their government accountable.
For the villagers in Nayagaon, CVA came as an eye-opening and empowering tool. Laxman regained space in the community and confidence to empower others. Community members have not only acquired tangible changes towards better education and services to disabled citizens, but they have also been equipped with an approach that can serve them to attain better conditions in the long-term.
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