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“We enjoy studying even in the winter. Umang is so very
comfortable and joyful. It provides us not only colorful
themes for studying but also prevents us from severe cold.
Thank you for doing our school so nicely.”
- Students of the Government Primary School, Salamabad
“We are thankful to CEE Himalaya for doing ‘Umang’ programme in our school. We learnt many new things
about education and especially about earthquake and how
we can save ourselves.”
- Jahangir Ahmad, Headmaster, Government EGS Centre, Thardhi,
Gingal, Uri
‘Umang’ is ‘school without walls’. The concept was
developed and made functional for students from
Baramullah and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir,
after the devastating earthquake of Oct 8th 2005.
Students, left with damaged homes and schools, were
scared to visit schools and so were the parents for fear of
the unforeseen.
Umang helped students to open up and express themselves
to bring out their stress. This involved talking to the
students in a friendly and caring manner, involving them in
stories, reciting poetry, involving them in arts and crafts,
games and other activities.
CEE Himalaya began this education initiative soon after
the earthquake, with focus on psycho-social care and
resuming education. It also had a component of teacher’s
capacity building on psychosocial care and education for
sustainable development. Umang used a combination of
formal and informal learning, with partly curriculumbased
activities.
The objectives of the programme:
• To provide psychosocial care to earthquake affected
children of Jammu and Kashmir
• Bring back students to schools, most of which were
damaged
• To ameliorate the fear related to damaged schools
• Highlight the need for preparedness
• Enhance concern and care about the local
environment
Selection of Schools
CEE was provided a list of 16 damaged schools by the Chief
Education Officer, Baramulla. Among them 10 schools
were short-listed by the CEE team engaged in the larger
Rebuilding Trust effort. The main criteria for the selection
of schools were the availability of adequate land for
construction of new class rooms and some open space and
the accessibility of the school.
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Reconstruction of permanent and temporary damaged
schools required time. Providing students with permanent
classes was difficult. As winter was approaching, interim
schools were made with corrugated roof and walls,
insulated with foam and with a lining of plywood. These
were designed by Centre for Environment Planning and
Technology, Ahmedabad. Winter is very severe in Kashmir with temperatures going
below 0°C. So CEE Himalaya conducted the programme
in two phases, the first from 26th October, 2005 to
7th December, 2005 and the second phase from 13th
March, 2006 to 4th December, 2006. Over one thousand
students participated in the programme and 150 teachers
experienced Umang programme in the first phase. This
phase of Umang concentrated more on adjustment to the
trauma and hence the emphasis was on the creation of
interest for the students to come to school and continue
their studies. The approach was to use games, a lot of
fun activities, experience sharing and gradually turning
towards academic activities through participatory
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processes. During this a very warm, soothing and healing
atmosphere was sought to be developed, where teachers
and students come closer. Interactive games like “Who am
I”, “Catch the Leader”, “Blind Faith”, “Jilli Kaka” etc.
were played to make the atmosphere vibrant and joyous,
where even the teachers participated.
The programme again continued from 13th March, 2006
to 4th December, 2006. The activities were supported by
German Agro Action and Plan India in the four educational
zones of the Uri Tehsil in Baramulla district and two
educational zones of Kupwara district. Altogether 451
schools were covered under the programme in that phase.
Over 33000 students both boys and girls and 1800 teachers
benifited from the programme.
The second phase of the program was aimed at enhancing
awareness among the students about the recent
earthquake – its causes, preparation to be taken before,
during and after the earthquake. In addition competitions
amongst the students were made in the form of quiz,
extempore speech, etc. which aroused the inner talents of
the students. CEE Himalaya team visited different schools
every working day to impart the concept of environmental
education to the students and the teachers alike.
Reconstruction of Damaged Schools as ‘Anandshalas’
Another component of the education initiative was
reconstruction of 10 damaged schools in Uri sub-division
as ‘Anandshala’ Model schools. ‘Anandshala’ literally
means ‘school of joy’. The objective here was to make
model rural schools that teach sustainable ways of living.
This was done through improving school infrastructural
facilities, involving the schools and communities in
planning, implementation and upkeep of infrastructure,
imparting life skills to the students through innovative and
interactive pedagogy.
Participatory Approach
Anandshalas function with full community participation.
Village Level Education Committees comprising of
Headmaster, Village Pradhan, Zonal Education officer
were formed in each village identified for the Anandshala
construction.
The schools were designed in a manner that apart from
the earthquake resistant construction, rooms are well lit
and bigger than the size normally prevalent in the area.
Doors and windows have been strategically designed and
place in a manner that the rooms get maximum light and
air. Separate toilets were built for girls and boys. Students
were involved in the construction by asking them to design
the interiors of the class rooms. Open spaces in the school
were developed by teachers and students, who were given
the freedom to utilise the space as per their choice and
creativity.
Apart from students and teachers, the parents and other
community members were constantly involved not only in
the construction but also in planning for the ambience,
entrance, and other issues to make the Anandshalas as per
their liking and promote a feeling of owning the schools.
Regular meetings happen with the VLECs and the parents
about the Anandshala philosophy, functioning and to get
their views as well. Difficulties/disputes coming during the
course of construction are also resolved through community
consultations.
For more information contact:
Dr. Abdhesh Gangwar
CEE Himalaya, Kanli Bagh, Baba Rishi Road
Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir 193 101
Ph: 095-2210440, 095-2235695
E-mail: ceehimalaya@ceeindia.org
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