Quality Education for Every Child: PSEF's Mission in Shahdol MP

Why Education Is PSEF's Core Mission

Shahdol district, nestled in the Vindhya-Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh, has one of the highest rates of school dropout in central India. Tribal communities — Gond, Baiga, and Kol — face compounding barriers: distance to schools, economic pressure to work, poor quality of teaching, and absence of toilets or midday meals.

PSEF believes that education is the single most powerful lever for lifting families out of poverty across generations. Our Shiksha Programme targets the most vulnerable children — girls, Scheduled Tribe children, and children from landless families.

What PSEF Does on the Ground

1. Remedial Learning Centres (Shiksha Kendras)

PSEF runs 18 Shiksha Kendras in remote villages of Shahdol, Umaria, and Anuppur districts. These evening centres:

• Teach children who have fallen behind in school (Class 3–8)
• Bridge learning gaps created by school closures
• Employ local educated youth as teachers (creating livelihoods too)
• Cover: Hindi, Mathematics, English basics, and Environmental Science
• Enrolment: 1,200+ children currently active

Children who complete one full year at a Shiksha Kendra show an average improvement of 2 grade levels in literacy and numeracy — measured through standardised assessments.

2. School Dropout Prevention

PSEF field workers (Shiksha Sakhis) visit families of children who stop attending school. They:

• Understand reasons for dropout (poverty, child labour, early marriage)
• Connect families to government scholarships and midday meal benefits
• Conduct community awareness sessions with parents
• Facilitate re-enrolment through coordination with school principals and BEOs

In FY 2024–25, PSEF helped 340 children return to school after dropout.

3. Scholarship Assistance

Navigating government scholarship portals is complex for first-generation learners. PSEF provides free assistance for:

• MP Mukhyamantri Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana — for students scoring 70%+ in Class 12
• PM Scholarship Scheme — for children of central armed police forces
• Tribal Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarships — for SC/ST students
• National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) — for Class 8 students

Last year, PSEF assisted 520 students in applying for government scholarships — worth ₹2.1 crore in total.

4. Digital Classrooms in Tribal Villages

In partnership with CSR-funded organisations, PSEF has installed 12 smart classrooms in government schools across tribal blocks including Beohari, Pushprajgarh, and Jaisinghnagar. Each classroom includes:

• Solar-powered projector and screen
• Pre-loaded educational content aligned with MP board syllabus
• Internet connectivity (where available)
• Teacher training for digital tools

Students in digital classrooms report higher engagement and better performance in science and mathematics.

5. Girls' Education Initiative

In many tribal communities, girls are pulled out of school after Class 5. PSEF's girls' education programme:

• Awards cycle scholarships to girls in Classes 6–8 to reduce commute barriers
• Conducts monthly sessions with mothers on the value of girls' education
• Facilitates enrolment in government residential schools (Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas)
• Provides sanitary pad distribution to reduce school absenteeism

Impact Numbers (2024–25)

| Indicator | Achievement | |---|---| | Children in Shiksha Kendras | 1,200+ | | Dropout children re-enrolled | 340 | | Scholarships facilitated | 520 students | | Smart classrooms installed | 12 schools | | Villages covered | 85+ |

How You Can Support PSEF's Education Work

Sponsor a Shiksha Kendra

₹15,000 per month covers a teacher's salary, study materials, and infrastructure for 60 children.

Scholarship Fund

₹5,000 supports one student through an academic year — covering exam fees, books, and transport.

Volunteer as a Tutor

If you are in Shahdol or can work remotely, PSEF welcomes teachers and subject experts to volunteer.

Contact: pujafoundation95@gmail.com | +91-8969886176

"Every child who stays in school is a future that Madhya Pradesh gains." — Er. Ajay Kumar, Chairman, PSEF