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time is then available for giving services to the community, on a cost plus basis. The earnings of the staff are linked to the level of services. At the same time, the students have an opportunity to get hands-on experience. The community gets the services it needs. All are benefitted. There is also a healthy working relationship between the parties concerned. The Experience This type of system has been under trial through Vigyan Ashram, Pabal since 1983. The Vigyan Ashram was set up in Jan. 1983. It submitted a proposed syllabus to the State Education Board, which was accepted from June 1985, with due formalities and procedures. From 1988, the programme was extended to three more schools in the region. Thus, the extendibility was studied by providing trained teachers to these schools, without direct involvement of Vigyan Ashram. The important conclusions from the past 10 years experience are as follows: 1. There is better academic performance by students, in spite of diversion of 20% time to this "pre-vocational" training. 2. Where the co-operation of the school is not forthcoming, this can become a farce; some benefits still accrue and the students do feel the interest. 3. The school and the community have immense potential for benefiting and the latter is willing to collect funds for it. 4. Community services can rise up to Rs. 30,000-50,000 per quarter or be as low as Rs. 200-300, depending on the initiative taken by the staff and Headmaster. 5. It has an indirect effect on the community. It reduces superstition, brings a modern outlook etc. Rural Development Through Education System 41
