MEENA AT SCHOOL
Assessment
A 2007 evaluation study focusing on the impact of Meena in the education sector in the States of Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat provided a ringing endorsement for the Meena Manch and Meena Cabinet activities. Meena was perceived by the respondents as a role model, and her ability to triumph over odds provides them, especially girls, courage, self-confidence, and hope. Meena Manch girls have stopped child marriages, helped in implementing pulse polio campaigns, boosted the enrollment and attendance of children in schools, and spread awareness about hygiene and nutritional practices.
In the 2007 evaluation study, teachers as well as parents noted that school attendance, since the Meena program got underway, had increased and that children were more enthusiastic about being in school. Overwhelmingly, both teachers (94 percent) and parents (97 per cent) felt that the children could now communicate even more freely, and over 90 per cent of teachers and parents believed that the children were now more confident and assertive. Some 85 percent of the teachers believed that the Meena activities made teaching more interesting than it was before. And participating children noted that their motivations for involvement were the engaging story telling sessions (97 percent), and the personal encouragement they received from teachers (98 percent).
Why use Meena in schools
Meena is a proven effective communication tool
to contribute to help children acquire empowering psycho-social competencies
to help children, especially girls, increase their self esteem and self worth
to contribute to better understanding of various issues related to their life
to encourage girls and boys to study
to develop leadership skills
In addition, activities designed around the Meena stories contribute to increase age-appropriate enrolment, regular attendance and retention in school.
Meena Stories
The Meena stories (print and films) are about children’s lives, crafted to a large extent by children themselves. More than 10,000 children have participated in creating these stories.
Meena, the lead character of the stories, reflects these children’s concerns, hopes, aspirations and dreams. This is the reason why on hearing the stories children often say, ‘That is my story too!’ or ‘I am Meena!’
Each story has been developed through extensive research in many parts of the country, involving hundreds of children, parents and teachers in group discussions. Subject experts, life-skill experts and gender experts have contributed to develop these stories.
Significant components of the Meena Stories
Child participation is core to all Meena stories, as well as the activities around use of these stories.
The stories help impart vital life skills like problem solving, communication and negotiation, critical thinking, decision-making, assertiveness, and maintaining a balance between emotions and relationships. These skills help enhance self-esteem and confidence.
The stories provide a model for healthy, improved gender relationships from an early age. Gender represents socially constructed differences – in terms of accepted attributes, roles and relationships. Gender refers to both women and men. The enabling relationship that Meena has with Raju is a model for improved gender relationships from an early age.
The Meena stories do not preach nor do they give advice. They aim to raise awareness and initiate discussions.
Meena Print Materials
In brief, the following are part of a quality package in schools, contributing to acquisition of psycho-social competencies (life skills) and social change. These include:
35 storybooks in two sizes
35 flipbooks
24 activity-cum-colouring sheets
10 posters
Booklet Who Is Meena
Masks to be used for role play, and
Activities around stories
The beautifully illustrated print materials attract children’s attention and help them to read and understand the stories at their own pace, and relate to them.
Meena Animation Films
World class series of 12 animation films.