Partnering with Mérieux Foundation, Aspire has launched a project to address the educational and information needs of the community in Ghatgaon Block, Keonjhar District, Odisha. Indian Census 2011 highlights that the area suffers from low levels of literacy, particularly among women, and has limited access to digital services. With 61.7% of its population belonging to scheduled tribes, it is a remote and underdeveloped region.
Create informed, empowered, and globally connected communities
The project’s objectives include making communities and other stakeholders digitally literate, enhancing academic learning for students, increasing access to e-services, building social awareness, building the capacity of government functionaries and other community members in the use of digital technology, and ensuring the governance and sustainability of the CERCs.
Through the CERCs, community members can access online services such as admissions, printing, photocopying, booking tickets, and job applications. The centres will also provide screenings of socially relevant films, talks, and seminars by local and world leaders on a variety of issues concerning the community and society at large.
Students in government schools in remote rural areas often face a shortage of teachers who can teach Mathematics, Science, and English. The CERCs provide STEM and English learning support through e-learning, with guidance from the CERC facilitator. Remedial classes are also offered to poorly performing students.
The CERCs are part of our sustainability plan, and after the project is completed, local self-government institutions and community bodies, including Panchayati Raj Institutions, School Management Committees, youth, and women self-help groups, will continue to use the CERCs to update their knowledge and access information.
