YEAR 2014-15 

Highlights - PVCR-AP State

• The efforts in constantly highlighting the situation of the ICDS (Integrated Child Development System) led to a huge improvement in the services provided through ICDS benefitting lakhs of children.
• With the bifurcation of the state, there was no separate SCPCR for the state.Representation was made to WCD Minister for the appointment of SCPCR in the state. The efforts resulted in a separate SCPCR being sanctioned for Telangana and now, members need to be appointed to the SCPCR.
• The constitution of a committee to look into amendments needed for current RCFCE Act 2010 would result in coming out with better decisions related to education rights of children.  PVCR members would continue to engage with this committee.
• The alliance continued to highlight issues related to school infrastructure and hostels. These issues were backed with data from field and submitted to various officials right from the District Collectors, District Joint Collectors, District Educational Officers, Revenue Divisional Officers, Social Welfare Officers, Project Director – Women & Child Welfare, Project Officer – SSA, ICPS functionaries
• PVCR conducted 11 fact finding missions on issues ranging from Food poisoning, missing children, children being made to work in hostels, caste discrimination, corporal punishment and exploitation of the poor
• Issues pertaining to ICDS services and other child protection issues were also brought to the notice of these officials
• PVCR continued in its efforts to make child rights a priority through the Election Advocacy Campaign
• The advocacy efforts of alliance members resulted in many child rights issues highlighted in the print media.  PVCR members also participated in 3 television interviews and spoke on the issue of closure of schools and fluorosis in Nalgonda district.

IMPACT

• Prevention of closure of 3900 schools in Telangana state resulted in ensuring better access to thousands of children.
• The Alliance also was able to ensure that 62 schools that were either closed or on the verge of closure were either reopened or continue to function. 
• Various improvements in the basic infrastructure facilities in 100 schools enhanced the quality of services in those schools, thereby giving children an opportunity to have quality education and infrastructure.  This also would prevent many children from dropping out from schools.
• Reactivation of girls’ toilets in 56 schools resulted in preventing many girl children from dropping out of school
• Basic infrastructure at 54 welfare hostels were improved.
• 11 fact-finding missions conducted by PVCR members brought to light various violations happening on children and sought accountability from the government in providing protection for the children
• Critical measures were taken with regard the ICDS through government order no 12, 21 and 11- Provision to provide small rice to ICDS centres and eggs for children in the age of 3-5 and pregnant and lactating women were made. Vigilance and Monitoring committees have been formed to prevent any malpractices in the distribution of rice and eggs to ICDS centres. 35,973 ICDS centres are covered under this G.O. (all the existing ones).
• An aggressive multi level advocacy Campaign against rationalization of schools (To close down all Primary and Upper primary Schools with a strength of less than 19 students and high schools with strength less than 75) helped change the course of life for thousands of children in Telangana.
• The issue was discussed with Mr.Rajaiah, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr.EtelaRajender-  Minister for Finance, Mr.Jagadesh, Minister for Education, Mr.Janareddy – Opposition Leader in Assembly, SunnamRajaiah, MLA, CPM, R.Ravinder Kumar MLA CPI, Mr.ThammineniVeerabhadram - CPM State Secretary, Mr.ChadaVenkat Reddy - CPI state secretary and intellectuals like Prof. Kodandaram, Mr.A.Narasimha Reddy and media related people like Mr. Lenin Babu - Indian Express, Ms.Aruna Ravi - Hans India  and Anchor - Gemini News, Ms.Vanaja- 99 TV Anchor
• The efforts bore fruits. The Education Minister has reviewed the concerns and decided not to go ahead with closure/merger of schools. On 01-10-2014 it was announced that G.O. No. 6 would be modified to effect rationalizationonly rationalization of teachers and not schools.
• This was a very successful advocacy by PVCR-TS which resulted in protecting about 3900 government schools in the State of Telangana.
• A micro study in 10 primary schools across 6 districts revealed the poor situation of education in the state. Some of the findings included 50% schools do not have separate room for each class, 50% schools only have toilet facility and many of these toilets are dysfunctional, 50% schools do not have separate toilets for girls, 70% schools do not have safe drinking water facility, 70% schools do not have subject-teachers. A memorandum submitted to the Deputy Chief Minister resulted in an assurance of necessary action being taken by the government.
• Government order no 15 was issued that suggested necessary ammendments to be made to the existing A.P.Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010 to suit the requirements of the newly formed Telangana State.
• PVCR has also been seeking a change in the JJ Bill to change the current definition of child as upto 18 years as against the current definition of 16 years.