Noticia DAF
EDUCACIÓN PARA TODOS
Fecha de publicación: 9 de diciembre de 2025
Jan Seva Mandal strives to make this mission: Education For All a reality in the hills and plains of Nandurbar’s Adivasi or Tribal areas. For in these areas live poor hardworking Adivasis who are at the subsistence stage of economic development. Hence to provide resources beyond basics of food, clothing and shelter, is no easy task. Education although necessary for emancipation from oppressive social structures and for enhancing their capacity to improve their quality of life is a process that needs outside support. The Government of India makes great effort to subsidise education. But civil society must play its role in the vast complex of the Indian nation to support the government effort and provide creative solutions to the problems of culture, language, poverty and other handicaps faced by the poor.
Jan Seva Mandal has been working at the improvement of Adivasi education right from its inception. Successive personnel of Jan Seva Mandal have contributed aspects of education development which are integrated into the Model of Education that evolves. At present Fr. Godfrey D’Lima, SJ, who has worked for decades at this Model of Adivasi education is striving to add qualitative components to the educational Model. This Model is shared over many Districts of western Maharashtra inhabited by Adivasis.
The present Model of education integrates academic learning with health, social perspectives and livelihood themes. The Model facilitates Adivasi learning of basic English through attractive charts, texts and digital programmes. Since Adivasis do not speak the state language always we pay attention to learning the state language. Then we have Math content communicated through instructional films and texts. Further there is Health instruction using indigenous herbal health knowledge of the Adivasis. In Livelihood learning we have improvement of soil and water resources, organic farming and traditional livestock care. Besides there are documentaries on Environment topics like forest, water resources and soil improvement. Local self-government is also reflected. And finally a tutor training instructional video that covers the entire Model.
The Model has been adapted and adopted by other institutions especially in western Maharashtra. Godfrey has been invited to train tutors for other programmes, to offer teaching learning materials, to plan the setting up of similar educational ventures.
The Model must go forward. For education is never static. There are social changes, changes in knowledge systems and new aspirations of learners that constantly must be worked at to evolve a more and more relevant educational system. For the poor Adivasi this cannot be left to the frugal resources of the community alone. Hence Godfrey researches new possibilities of educational assistance. New content, better communication tools, improved trainings for the “barefoot” teachers he trains to operate the project.
You are invited to participate in this vital mission of Education for All
Godfrey Dlima SJ
Educational Initiatives
Jan Seva Mandal
Korit Road, Nandurbar 425412
INDIA
December 2, 2025.
