Education Park Project

Primary Steward: Sonal Gupta

Secondary Steward: Prateek Sharma

Project Description

Location: Bhikangaon, Madhya Pradesh, India

Area (urban/rural):Rural
Primary Focus: Children & Youth in rural areas
Project Type:School/Vocational Training
Amount Requested (US$): $28,000 (approx)
Purpose of Funding Request: Infrastructure
# of Beneficiaries:1000+1000/year

Project Goals

Project Background/Impact
Asha Sheffield forwarded the project proposal.
Site Visit has been done by an Asha Sheffield
member (Subrato Chatterjee) in Jan 2010 and he
also gave a very positive feedback on the project.
The project has already attracted attention from
various sections of society and is generating a lot of
awareness.
Project aims to provide education and effective
training to 1000 persons per year.
Focus is on Energy, Economy and Education to drive
holistic development of the region.

Organization Description

Name of Organization: The Education Park

Dr. Chetan Solanki President Edu. Park and Associate Prof at IIT Bombay.
Advisors:

Mr. Madhav Paranjpe (Well known educationalist, Indore)

Dr. B. K . Passi (Well known educationalist, Indore)
Dr. Prakash Vyavahare (Prof. and Dean of Faculty, SGSITS, Indore)
Dr. Rakesh Saxena (Prof, Department of Electrical Engg, SGSITS, Indore)
Dr. Saroj Rangnekar (Prof. and head, Energy Center, MANIT, Bhopal)
Mr. Sanjay Prakash (Solar Passive Architect, Delhi)
Dr. Prasanna Gandhi (Prof. of Mechanical Engg. Dept, IIT Bombay)
Mr. Ramswaroop Agrawal (Businessman and social worker, Khargone)
Mr. Kalyan Agrawal (Businessman, Bhikangaon, Dist. Khargone)
Dr. Anuradha, MBBS (Social worker, Khargone)
Dr. Anil Kottanthayal (Prof. of Electrical Engg. Dept, IIT Bombay)

No religious/political affiliations.
FCRA is applied for and is in processing. They will be doing one-time FCRA
(Prior-permission) for Asha.

Existing Infrastructure/Facilities
Staff 13 teachers
Non-teaching staff 10
Infrastructure one block is ready (8 class rooms).
Development of rest of the school is underway.
Free books stationary will be provided to every child.
Residential facility is under construction.
Generates its own electricity using Solar Panels no
connection to grid.

Curriculum/Pedagogy
Currently following CBSE pattern and have applied
for CBSE affiliation. In the meanwhile affiliated with
MPBSE.
Innovative approach to education with focus on
practical trainings.
Teacher/Student Ratio 1:40

Expected Outcomes/What After?

When fully in operation, Education Park will be educating
about 1000 students per year and also training nearly
1000 people per year.
The Education Park will also conduct training programs
to create leaders who can take the challenge of setting
up of new Education Parks. In long terms, the Education
Park plans to open chain of such Education Parks in
rural areas.
The project aims for self sustenance after 3 years of
operation.

Budget for Requested Funding

The total estimated budget need for Education Park is INR 4.5cr

INR 65 lac have been raised and used for purchasing land and
construction of the primary block.

In order to complete the construction of secondary block they need

additional INR 30-35 lac.

For year 2010-11 construction plans they have arranged around INR 20
lac

For the construction of primary block they borrowed Rs24,48,000 on

zero percent interest which they now need to return and expect
around INR 12-13 lac from Asha for the same.

Other Funding Sources

Most of the donation has been raised locally utilizing
personal network.
Dr. Chetan Solanki won an award at IIT Bombay for
INR 5 lac which he dedicated to the cause of
Education Park.
ROSE has also provided funding for USD 10K.
They have taken zero percent loan from well wishers
to meet their construction needs for primary block.
The Education Park Project requires INR 4.5 cr for
construction on a 3 year plan. After that, the park will
sustain itself without any donations.

Site Visit Report

Site visit done by Subrato Chatterjee (Asha Sheffield
chapter) on 1st Jan 2010

SWOT Analysis
Strengths/Opportunities
Holistic approach. Focus on Energy, Economy &
Education.
Practical trainings for youth
Helping local communities by spreading awareness
about education and energy conservation.

Steward Recommendation
We met Dr. Chetan Solanki on 16th June 2010. Dr.
Chetan comes across as a very humble, dedicated
and passionate person. He is truly devoted to the
cause and has gone to great lengths to make this
venture successful.
His holistic approach is bound to bring great results
for the region. This project has all the chances of
becoming a turning point for middle and low income
class of people.
In my opinion, we should definitely help this
organization and provide them with required funding.

Project Discussion/Decision

Discussion (10 minutes)

Questions/Thoughts
Arguments for funding
Long term vision with holistic approach to improve Education/Energy and
Economy and uplift the society as a whole.
Arguments against funding
(a) Not everybody likes the idea of funding a school for people that aren't
completely under-privileged
Are we going to consider projects that focus only on 'under-privileged'
people in the society OR are we open to projects that have a more
holistic approach and want to provide a platform to everyone in the
society to grow, compete and succeed?
(b) We aren't funding an entire block/entire wholesome unit. That seems to
be causing us some angst
Is Asha comfortable with funding construction component of the project
(as this is what Dr. Chetan wants money for)? OR Is it that Asha does
not want to spend money on infrastructure related costs at all?

Decision (5 minutes)
Round I: Need more information/Can decide today?
If ready to decide:
Round II: Fund/Do not fund
If decided to fund:
Round III: Fund full amount/Fund part amount

Notes:
1. Please vote only if you are familiar with the project details and our
overall funding philosophy
2. Decision to be made by 2/3rd majority. Quorum of 5.
3. All projects must be resolved by the 2nd meeting