06th September 2024: The Tribal Area Development Department, under the Government of Rajasthan, signed MoU with Magic Bus India Foundation to introduce life skills education into the curriculum of Ashram Hostels and Residential Schools. This collaboration will equip approximately 42,000 adolescents with life skills through a teacher and warden-led, activity-based life skills education programme tailored to the specific needs of the State’s tribal communities, across 440 Ashram Hostels and 53 Residential Schools in 25 districts, ensuring that life skills education reaches some of the most underprivileged population in the state.
The programme will be implemented over three years. The first year will focus on identifying and training Master Trainers from the Tribal Area Development Department, contextualising the curriculum, and rolling out the initial life skills sessions in the Ashram Hostels and Residential Schools. In the second year, the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) will be integrated to measure life skills outcomes, enhance monitoring, and introduce Magic Mitra, a WhatsApp-based AI chatbot for real-time tracking. In the third year, efforts will shift towards strengthening the system for continued implementation and monitoring, ensuring the sustainability of the life skills programme.
Teachers, wardens, and assistant wardens from 493 Ashram Hostels and Residential Schools of the Tribal Area Development Department will receive life skills training from Master Trainers. They will then be prepared to deliver life skills education to adolescents in grades 6th to 12th.
This partnership demonstrates Rajasthan’s dedication to providing holistic education that goes beyond academics. It focuses on developing essential life skills in adolescents. By nurturing these skills, the programme aims to boost adolescents’ confidence, aspirations, and resilience, which will lead to improved school outcomes.
Ms. Pragya Kewalramani, Commissioner of the Tribal Area Development Department, Rajasthan, said, “This Collaboration with Magic Bus India Foundation is a significant step towards holistic personality development of tribal students. Through this MoU, we aim to equip our adolescents with life skills education, empowering them to be self-reliant and active participants in their communities. We are confident that this partnership will lead to sustained progress and development of these students.”
Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, said, “Partnering with the Tribal Area Development Department, Government of Rajasthan, enables us to address the challenges faced by adolescents in tribal communities. These adolescents live in tough terrains with limited resources. By introducing life skills education, we aim to empower them to navigate difficulties and build a path to success. This partnership will foster growth and resilience, creating a stronger foundation for the future of adolescents from tribal communities.”
This MoU sets the stage for a transformative shift towards an inclusive and impactful education system for tribal students of Rajasthan, poised to positively shape the futures of these students.