"100 Days school" is a symbolic concept used in education. Many a times running a regular school becomes difficult. But children at particular age can pick up certain abilities and then continue their formal education in lesser time. Concept of school for 100 days, has been initiated particularly for the children of migrant workers like sugarcane cutters or for the children of brick kiln workers. In village Padsare in district Raigad, a 100 day’s school was opened. In the premises of various Sugarcane factories, “Sakharshala” named schools were opened for the children of sugarcane cutters in Maharashtra. That experiment was conducted by Jnana Prabodhini Pune. On similar basis, “MAITRI"volunteers decided to run a 100 day’s school for children in Melghat.

Many children are unable to go to school, or drop out of school due to various reasons. For them bringing back to school is very difficult task. “MAITRI” volunteers came across many such school drop outs in Melghat and decided to bring them back to main stream education through 100 days school. With the help of volunteers, one residential 100 day’s school was started in Melghat. In village Chilhati in Melghat, MAITRI runs a training centre and office. For 32 Girls and 10 Boys the school was started on 10 December 2011 to 3 March 2012.Total 42 children were between the age group of 8 to 12 years.

42 children were placed in 4 different groups depending upon their language and mathematical abilities. The aim was to teach basic concepts of language and mathematics. With the help of many teachers curriculum was designed. Training for the volunteers going for 100 day’s school was organised. It was regarding content and methods of teaching. Every week 4 to 5 volunteers were going to Melghat and stayed there with children. Two workers were full timers and coordinated the activity.

Total 52 volunteers ranging from 18 to 62 years with different educational backgrounds, self employed and even professionals, businessmen, house wives worked as teachers. They have contributed for their travel and stay in Melghat and have contributed with their skills and time, a very valuable resource.

Being a residential school, morning to night timetable and activities were well chalked out and even shared with all the volunteers. Routine was set with healthy habits and even nutritious food was provided at fixed intervals. Creative activities, sports, songs and story-telling sessions were planned. After every 15 days children were send home for holiday.

Learning for children:

• Children were introduced to basic skills related to language and Mathematics. Construction of sentences, selecting and reading story books, basic addition and subtractions.
• Personal cleanliness, using one hand to eat food, using a fixed place as toilet and habits were introduced and many children learnt it without hesitation.
• Children liked to attend the school, as they were very happy in creative activities during school time. Initially children tried to run away from school to go home but same children after few days were hesitant to go home even at the time of holiday.
• Many shy children were less shy and were confident while talking, reading and participating in different activities.

After 100 Day’s School- learning for “MAITRI”

It was very difficult while running the residential school even for 100 days. But more difficult task was future of education of these children. 40 children needed help to take admissions in Ashram School (residential school) and “Maitri” to review their progress from time to time was the learning for the team of volunteers engaged in the activity.

• With the help of volunteer teachers, to bring children back to main stream education
• Teacher-parent and village level committee need to take effort to run the  school regularly
• To involve the local educated youth in educational
• To design the activity for children out of school and school drop outs in Pune.
• To  organise a group in Pune for raising funds for preparing  games and educational material

Based on above learning “MAITRI-School” was the activity designed and conducted for Melghat-Education.