Encouraging education has long been a subject of great interest for Precision Foundation. In a world where education has become the biggest differentiating factor, Precision Foundation offers an edge to the deprived and rural students through its activities.
Precision Camshafts Limited (PCL) has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Maharashtra CSR Award – STEM Education’ by ‘India CSR Network’ in recognition of its outstanding work in the field of STEM Education.
Precision Foundation under the guidance of its Chairperson, Dr. Suhasini Shah, has implemented various projects such as Interactive E-Learning, Mini Science Centers, Avishkar – for the innovative minds, Password Campaign – for reading culture, Baithak and Gillo to introduce music and theatre to children etc. at about 160 schools of Solapur district as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of Precision Camshafts Limited.
We have set up ‘Mini Science Centers’ in 5 schools from South Solapur, Mohol, Madha talukas of Solapur district and from the city, with the help of Stem Learning, Mumbai. These science centers are equipped with 80 working models that can be used to teach over 120 experiments in science and mathematics from the curriculum of standard 5 to 12. Workshops were conducted to train the teachers from these schools to use these models. The objective for setting up these Mini Science Centers was to create scientific perspective amongst rural students and to develop interest in science and mathematics. Acknowledging the dedication and innovative approach in promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) education, the India CSR network has selected Precision for the Maharashtra CSR Award in STEM Education.
The award was presented in the 2nd edition of Maharashtra CSR Summit, an event to celebrate exceptional contributions in the realm of CSR, at the hands of renowned Agriculturist, Padmashri Subhash Palekar, founder of zero budget farming, Mr. Sitaram Gupta of Lupin Human Welfare & Research Foundation and the founder of India CSR network Mr. Rusen Kumar.
Precision invited Gillo Repertory Theatre, a Mumbai based arts organization working exclusively for children and young people through Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) for the second consecutive year and took theatre to 14 schools from Solapur city and district during the period Dec 1 to 12, 2023.. About 3550 students including 100 specially abled children enjoyed watching theatre shows and also took part in the workshops and library sessions organized for them.
The children enthusiastically scurried about from one activity to another. The experience included creative drama workshops, watching informative & educative plays & performances, interacting with artists in meet the artist sessions, reading books and participating in art activities. Gillo also organized workshops for the teachers.
We started the interactive e-learning project in 2015 and have installed these kits in 161 classrooms from 144 schools over the past few years. We ensured training for teachers before handing this tool to them and also took regular follow up to understand the effectiveness of this project. We saw that the students started attending school more regularly, took more interest in studies, enjoyed handling the tab and computer and the learning experience.
We installed Interactive e-learning kits in 4 more Zilla Parishad schools this year, namely, at Solankarwadi & Bairagwadi in Tal. Madha, at Mangoli in Tal. South Solapur, at Masle Chaudhary in Tal. North Solapur and also at New English School, Sadashivgad, Dist. Satara.
With this the number of digital classroom comes to 166.
Precision Foundation with the help of Unique Features (Pune) has been conducting the ‘Password’ initiative to inculcate reading culture among children. The initiative was started during the academic year 2021-22 and this is the 3rd year of this program. About thousand students of class V to VII from eight schools have benefited from this initiative. "Password" a beautiful booklet full of interesting stories, poems, informative articles on current topics, puzzles etc. and is a perfect mix of knowledge and entertainment. Children will receive three issues of Password in an academic year. The children are taught to express their opinions coherently, improve their vocabulary, enhance their imagination, inculcate expressive communication as they are asked to write essays on what they liked in the book. These essays are assessed by a panel of teachers from Unique Features and students are rewarded for their efforts.
‘Baithak@School’ initiative was started with the objective of exposing underprivileged children from Zilla Parishad schools to Indian classical music and dance through Concerts. PCL with the help of Baithak Foundation, Pune organised 6 concerts per year in 5 schools from Solapur. These concerts included vocal music, instrumental music and dance. The students thoroughly enjoyed the music and showed keen interest in learning more.
This is the 3rd season of Baithak@School and we have extended the program to 5 more schools. As a part of ‘Baithak@School 3.0, we will be conducting “Anubhav” sessions with 6 concerts each in these 10 schools. This year we have started ‘Parichay’ workshops for interested students from the earlier 5 schools where the children are given more information about the art form and are also given basic practical lessons.
TDeskit – a school bag convertible into a study table, designed by an IIT grad and manufactured by his start up – is a unique combination of a lightweight school bag and an ergonomic foldable, portable and detachable table. It is a learning aid that allows children to convert any space into a study space. Ergonomically designed, it ensures proper posture while sitting down and studying and reduces strain on the back and neck, thus improving concentration.
We distributed about 500 DESKITS to under privileged children from grade 1 to 4 from 9 schools including Kamala Nehru school, Jule Solapur: Innovative school, Ankoli Tal. Mangalvedha; Zilla Parishad Primary School, Shetewadi; Zilla Parishad Primary School, Ambika Nagar, Bale; Zilla Parishad Primary School, Kegaon; Zilla Parishad Primary School, Shivajinagar, Bale; Zilla Parishad Primary School, Khed, Tal. North Solapur, ‘Ramabai Ambedkar Residential school at Nimbargi, Tal. South Solapur and Sona Mata school, Solapur.
The Interactive e-learning project is one of our most appreciated and successful projects done over last 4 years. With addition of 9 schools & 11 Interactive e-learning kits in 2023, we have reached a number of 144 schools and 161 classrooms covered under this project.
The kit consists of a 65-inch touch screen TV, wireless keyboard & mouse, and interactive software with syllabus for grade 1 to 10.
We inaugurated the interactive e-learning classroom at the ‘Ramabai Ambedkar Residential School at Nimbargi, Tal. South Solapur on July 29, 2023.
The other schools that received these kits are Valuj Highschool, Valuj, Tal. Mohol; Zilla Parishad Primary School, Ekurge, Tal. Mohol; Innovative school, Ankoli, Tal. Mangalvedha; Shrimati Dhondubai Swami School, Chungi, Tal. Akkalkot; Sri Taramata Shishu Vikas School, Akkalkot; Ekalavya Madhyamik Ashram School & Ekalavya Prathamik Ashram School, Yamgarwadi, Tal. Tuljapur; Hingulambika Prathamik School, Sakharpeth, Solapur and Sevasadan Girls School (2), Solapur.
Baithak @ School was an initiative started by Precision Foundation in the year 2019-20 with the objective of exposing underprivileged children to Indian classical music and dance through Concerts. PCL with the help of Baithak Foundation, Pune organised about 30 concerts in 5 schools from Solapur. These concerts included vocal music, instrumental music and dance. The students thoroughly enjoyed the music and showed keen interest in learning more. We started the second season of Baithak@School 2.0 in July 2022 and will be conducting 6 concerts each in the selected 5 schools.
‘Gillo On The Go’ … Traveling with Thatre for Children A novel initiative to take theatre to children, Precision foundation invited Gillo Repertory Theatre, a Mumbai based arts organization working exclusively for children and young people through Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) and took theatre to 24 schools from Solapur city and district. About 4000 students in the age group 6 to 12 years enjoyed watching theatre shows, reading books and participating in art activities. The Gillo team was stationed in Solapur for 2 weeks, from November 21 to December 4, 2022 and covered reached schools in a radius of about 50 kms. This was a great experience particularly for the rural school children who do not get an opportunity to watch theatre, leave alone child theatre. On the last day, a workshop was organized for teachers from these 24 school and they were explained how some subjects and story can be taught by enacting in groups and also by encouraging children to do the same.
Precision Foundation with the help of Unique Features (Pune) launched an initiative called 'Password' to develop reading culture among children during the academic year 2021-22. About thousand students of class V to VII from eight schools benefited from this initiative. Under ‘Password Campaign 2.0’ we are continuing this initiative for the academic year 2022-23 for the second consecutive year. We intend to continue this project for a minimum of three years to see positive changes in the children. "Password" a beautiful book full of interesting stories, poems, informative articles on current topics, puzzles is a perfect mix of knowledge and entertainment. Children will receive three issues of Password in an academic year. The primary objective of the campaign is to cultivate a reading culture among children. "Password" will teach children to express their opinions coherently, improve their vocabulary, enhance their imagination, inculcate expressive communication as they will be asked to write essays on what they liked in the book. These essays would be assessed by a panel of teachers from Unique Features.
The Government Polytechnic Institute in Solapur is a 75 year’s old institution. It is a renowned for imparting quality technical education. Lack of funds from the government was compelling students to use old systems and students were deprived of recent advances in computer knowledge. A well-equipped computer lab with 10 latest PC’s was set up as per the request of the institute which would greatly facilitate learning for the students of Computer Science.
Precision Foundation with the help of Unique Features (Pune) launched an initiative called 'Password' to develop reading culture among children. The campaign will be implemented at ZP School Aran (Taluka Madha), ZP School Modnimb (Taluka Madha), ZP School Papari (Taluka Mohol), ZP School Ambika Nagar (Taluka Mohol), ZP School Belati (Taluka North Solapur), ZP School Ambika Nagar (Bale), Smt. Kamla Nehru Prashala (Jule Solapur) and Sonamata Prashala (Limayewadi, Solapur) About thousand students of class V to VII from these eight schools will benefit from this initiative.
The inauguration of 'Password' campaign was done at ZP School Aran (Taluka Madha) at the hands of Mr. Dilip Swamy, Chief Executive Officer of Solapur Zilla Parishad and Dr. Suhasini Shah, Chairperson of Precision Foundation, in the presence of Mr. Sanjay Kumar Rathod, Solapur Zilla Parishad Primary Education Officer and Mr. Anand Awadhani, Director of Unique Features (Pune).
"Password" a beautiful book full of interesting stories, poems, informative articles on current topics, puzzles is a perfect mix of knowledge and entertainment. Children will receive three issues of Password in an academic year. The primary objective of the campaign is to cultivate a reading culture among children.
"Password" will teach children to express their opinions coherently, improve their vocabulary, enhance their imagination, inculcate expressive communication as they will be asked to write essays on what they liked in the book. These essays would be assessed by a panel of teachers from Unique Features. Precision intends to continue this project for a minimum of three years to see positive changes in the children.
Precision Foundation with the help of 'Stem Learning' of Mumbai has set up state-of-the-art Mini-Science Centres in five schools.
Sonamata Prashala (Solapur), Daji kaka Godbole Vidyalaya, Kamati (Taluka Mohol), Gyansadhana Prashala, Takali (Taluka South Solapur), Sahakar Maharshi Ganapatrao Sathe Prashala, Madha) and Ambika Vidyalaya, Shirapur (Taluka Mohol) are the beneficiary schools from Solapur district.
Each science centre is equipped with about 80 project models related to Science and Mathematics. Of these, 23 models operate on electricity. Numerous unique models including Newton's discs, floating balls, law of inertia, tower of feathers, pulley machine, solar energy, law of reflection will help students understand various basic concepts in science. About 30 teachers of Science and Mathematics and more than a thousand students from class 5 to 10 will benefit from this initiative. The science centres would also welcome students from other schools in the vicinity on fixed days.
The inauguration ceremony of these mini science centres was held at Sonamata Prashala on 26th August 2021. The program was followed by a full day training session for about 30 Science and Mathematics teachers from these five schools. Mr. Rahul Gavai of Stem Learning conducted the training & demonstrated the use of all project models for teaching. This initiative will inculcate scientific thinking and approach in school children and will give impetus to the creation of a science-oriented society.
Mata BalakUtkarsh Pratishthan, an NGO from Sangola, a small town in Solapur District has been working in the areas of education, healthcare, women empowerment and environmental awareness under the able leadership of Dr. SanjivaniKelkar. The foundation supported their efforts in establishing ‘Skill Development Centre’and ‘Counselling Centre’ and also for their ‘Lend a Hand’ project. The funds provided were utilised for creating infrastructure of the centre and for the purchase of sewing machines, computers, furniture and also for getting resource persons for training of women. The project has benefited a large number of girls and women from Sangola Taluka.
Precision has been organizing concerts in rural schools and some schools from the slum areas with the help of Baithak Foundation, Pune thus, taking performing arts to children who have never been exposed to any form of classical music or dance. It is very encouraging to see these children keen interest in music.
With the upcoming ‘Precision Sangeet Mahotsav’ in mind, ‘Tune In’ was organized again with the help of Baithak Foundation to educate people on how to appreciate and enjoy music. The program was conducted at two colleges and at the amphi-theatre in Solapur and was highly appreciated by all 350 participants. Mandar Karanjkar & Dakshayani Athalye of Baithak explained the concepts of Swar, Taal, Lay, Ragas and also various musical instruments through videos and interaction with the audience. They very beautifully compared music to delicious food… We do not have to understand every ingredient to appreciate and enjoy a dish, similarly we need not understand the raga to appreciate music.
To make children fall in love with Indian classical music and dance through Concerts, PCL with the help of Baithak Foundation, Pune is organising ‘Baithak at School’.
In this activity, 35 concerts will be organised in 5 schools from Solapur. These concerts will include vocal music, instrumental music and dance. Fifteen artists from Pune and seventeen artists from Solapur will perform instrumental music on Santoor, Flute, Tabla, Harmonium & Pakhwaj, Hindustani & Karnataki vocal music and Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Odissi dance forms.
This activity will be carried out till March 2020 and will benefit 600 students. In the first phase of Baithak, concerts were held on 26 & 27 September, 2019 at Sonamata Vidyalaya, Kamala Nehru Prashala, SMC School No. 28, Zilla Parishad Girl’s School (Degaon) and Samarth Vidyamandir (Shastri nagar). The concerts were followed by question and answer sessions. The students enjoyed the music and showed keen interest in learning more.
The Vidyarthi Vikas Yojana was started by Mr. Ravindra Karve with the main objective ofproviding financial support to students from 'Underprivileged Section of the society' to pursue higher education.Support is provided only to extraordinary brilliant students from poor families. About 40 volunteers associated with the Seva Sahyog Foundation carry out home visits to verify the Socioeconomic condition, conducive atmosphere at home for study and various documents to ensure that help reaches the needy students. Selection of student is purely based on Merit & Family’s economic condition without any discrimination on account of religion, gender, caste & creed. The fees of selected students are directly sent to the educational institution. In deserving cases support is provided books, travel & other incidentals. There is a strong follow-up mechanism to ensure student’s continuous higher performance.The foundation has supported the education of 287 students from 26 districts of Maharashtra over the last one year spending about 1.47 Crores – 19 of these students are from Solapur district. PCL through its CSR has joined hands with Seva Shayog for their Vidyarthi Vikas Yojana and help this noble cause.
A great teacher, patriot and visionary Shri Shankar Dinkar alias Bhayyaji Kane laid the foundation principles of PSVP (Purva Seema Vikas Pratishthan) in 1971. He brought tribal children from remote hilly areas of Manipur (North-East India) to Maharashtra for better education. This work continued for more than two decades. More than 300 children were educated and excelled in their careers. Late Bhayyaji’s colleagues & students took the inspiration from his work and established PSVP as a trust in 1986.
India’s North-East region is also known as Purvanchal. This region is cut-off from heartland of India due to several reasons like inaccessibility, lack of industrial development, difference in people's facial features, un-availability of basic human needs for electricity, quality education facilities etc.
PSVP envisages and works towards changing the scenario of anti-social activities, lack of good educational facilities, and connecting the secluded area of North East to mainland India. PSVP is a Trust working for 'National Integration through Education'. PSVP built and now operates three schools in remote hilly areas of Manipur state. PCL through its CSR is financially supporting a school run by PSVP.
PCL as a part of its CSR, has installed interactive e-learning kits at 120 schools in and around Solapur over the last 2 years. It includes about 90 schools from the rural areas that are run by the Zilla Parishad. The installation was done in 3 phases. Starting with a white board, projector and IR camera, moving on to Smart boards and to LED panels that get converted into touch screen, the kit comprised of tools using current technology every time. All schools are provided with Solar panels to ensure uninterrupted use of these tools. Teachers from these schools were given the necessary training at every stage of the project.
‘Pariwartan’, the fourth such training session for teachers was organized on 8th August 2019. It was attended by 704 teachers from 120 schools. The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Prakash Waychal, CEO, Solapur Zilla Parishad.
Mr. Sandip Gund and Mr. Vishwas Yelnurkar conducted the training using LED panel and the Smart board. Mr. Omkar Modak briefed the teachers about care of the Solar panels and batteries provided to such school.
The interactive e-learning project has reached 99 villages/ towns across 3 districts and has benefitted 974 teachers and 24362 students.
In the year 2018-19, 10 more schools have received the interactive e-learning kits, taking the number of digital schools to 110.
In the third phase of the project, the kit comprised of a 55 inch LED TV which gets converted into a touch screen. The TV is mounted on a stand which allows height adjustment and can also be taken from classroom to classroom. The schools have also been provided with syllabus for 1st to 10th grade in the digital format and a number of Apps to make learning more interactive and enjoyable for the students.
All the interactive e-learning kits are run on alternate source of energy as solar power generating system is installed at every school covered under this project.
A training session was conducted for about 70 teachers from these newly added schools by Mr. Sandip Gund, a well-known techno-savvy digital teacher.
