Introduction

Vigyan Ashram is a centre of Indian Institute of Education (IIE) Pune. A scientist turned educationalist Late Dr.S.S.Kalbag started Vigyan Ashram in 1983 to find out solution to the problem of rural dropout students.

“Vigyan” means ‘Search of Truth’ and “Ashram” symbolizes ‘Simple living and High thinking. Vigyan Ashram (VA) is an organization where all are equal. It’s a modern version of old Gurukul system’

Over the year Vigyan Ashram (VA) develops a complete program for giving training to the youth in rural and urban areas. The program is called as a ‘Rural Development through Education System (RDES)’.

With the help of school dropout students Vigyan Ashram developed several innovative technologies and successfully commercialized them. Vigyan Ashram conducts one year residential “Diploma in Basic Rural Technology (DBRT)” course. The course is based on the philosophy of ‘Learning while doing’ in real life environment which integrates rural development and education.

The same program under RDES concept is getting replicated in formal school system. The program is called as “Introduction to Basic Technology (IBT)” program in formal schools (8^th – 10^th Std.). This is a flagship program of VA is working towards universalize of this concept in all schools.

Similarly VA has developed program for V to VII std called as ‘Skill required in day to day lives’.

Over the period IBT program proved its effectiveness, usefulness, sustainability and replicable.

VA also provides training to instructors and teachers in the schools. Various books, manuals, CDs are developed in Marathi language for the program.

Background of the Project:

Suzlon foundation is supporting IBT program in schools nearer to its wind farm areas since 2008. The program was started in 7 schools in Dhule and Nandurbar area’s in the year 2008-09. IBT is a pre-vocational program and students are given pre-vocational training as a part of their curriculum from class VIII – Xth. First batch of 250 students appeared for Xth examination in March 2011. These are students who undergone three years of IBT training. They have basic skills and got exposure to various rural technologies. These students are of the age group 14^th – 16^th years of age. These are important years of their life. A proper guidance during these years will shape up their career.