Annual Report 2023

Annual Report of COVA

From 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023

Part-I : Transforming Systems

Compassionate Citizenship Program

Pilot Project by COVA Peace Network

Implemented in collaboration withSCERT (Telangana State)

In 122 Schools of Telangana for 2022-23

Reports of Project Works Display Programs
Hyderabad- Warangal- Vikarabad- Mahabubnagar

Project Works were displayed by 500 students in Hyderabad on 21st March 2023, 450 students in Warangal on 25th March 2023, 450 students in Vikarabad on 27th March 2023 and 450 students in Mahabubnagar on 29th March 2023 as part of the Compassionate Citizenship Program.
Topics of Project Works prepared by students included Care for Elders, Participatory Budgeting, Problems Faced by Parents in Educating Children, Dangers of Plastic Usage, Public Services, Eve Teasing, Social Media- Fake New, Chid Labour, Basic Introduction to Social Science and Social Advocacy.

The Project Works were seen and appreciated by dignitaries and scores of students from different schools. In all 390 students were awarded prizes for producing outstanding Project Work Reports.

The Project Works Display Programs were dedicated to the memory of Dr.Anand Raj Varma, Past President of COVA and an educationist and chronicler of local histories

This Pilot Program is a collaborative initiative between School Education Department, Government of Telangana and Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA) to

undertake implementation of the Compassionate Citizenship Program in 122 schools in 4 districts of Telangana State during the year 2022-23. The objective is to explore and assess the implementation and impact of this Program in sensitizing students to social issues and equipping them to undertake micro level social transformations in their communities and environment.

The program will be extended to other schools in Telangana over the coming years to make the students across the State sensitive human beings motivated to transform society for better- through individual and collective action

Four Districts areselected for implementations of the Pilot Project: Hyderabad; Mahabubnagar;
Warangal and Vikarabad.In all 122 government, private and residential schools from both urban and rural areas participated with 25,000 students attending the lectures on social issues that were organized in the schools in each districts.
44 experts delivered 1000 lectures on the 10 topics to 25,000 students and 10,700 students participated in the 230 Field Visits to equip themselves for preparation of Project Work Reports on the social issues covered.

Resource Material and PPTs
Leading experts who prepared prepared the Framework and provided Resource Material for orientation of students on different topics were

1. Introduction to Social Science Research: Mr. HarinderMekala ( RodaMestry College of Social Work with Inputs from Dr.RiteshKhunyakariDr.ShikaTakkar&Dr.SrinivasSurisetti ( Tata Institute of Social Sciences- TISS) and Dr. Satyam Sunkari ((Council for Social Develipment- CSD)
2. Social Change &Advocacy: Dr.GnanaPrakasham (Former Director CWS) and K. Bharatesh
3. Using Google Search as a Research Tool: Framework Provided By Moinuddin Ali Khan
4. Communication through Media: Prof. Padmaja Shaw
5. Participatory Budgeting: Dr.Poulumi Bhattacharya (TISS) , Mr. Mohammad Sajid (CSD) and Ms.MeghanaNarasimha (Management Consultant)
6. Care Of Elders: Dr G.SobhaPerindevi
7. Problems Faced by Parents in Educating children: Framework Provided Sanjay Vomkarey, Potter‘s Wheel and Dr.MazherHussain
8. Child Labour: R. Venkat Reddy
9. Environment: Plastic Usage: Sreecharan&Sumeet , Mahbubnagar Municipality
10. Social Media – Fake News: Siddhartha Vookoti.(Founder, Hoaxorfact.com)
11. Eve-Teasing: SHE Team,Vikarabad

Passing through Compassionate Citizenship Program, the Transformation in Students is PURE MAGIC!
You will see the sensitivity developed by students for elders, parents, child labour, environment, eve teasing, fake news etc. and the realisation that every one could contribute to changing and improving society

Please CLICK the Link to enter the Wonderland of Compassion and Action!
https://www.covanetwork.org/in-school-curriculum/
Here you will find Over View of the Compassionate Citizenship Program, PPTs, Project Work Reports, Video Testimonials,Case Studies, Media Coverage and Impact Assessment.

Above all, you see the Resource Book that can enable you to implement the CompassionteCitienship Program anywhere in India on your own!

Perspective and Attitudinal Transformations in Students
Compassionate Citizenship Program

IV. Child Labour

1. Children want to study but their parents are facing financial problems and sending them for child labour.
2. Children engaged in child labour are also becoming addicted to drug abuse and other bad habits and are spoiling their life’s
3. Ban Child Labour and impose and ensure strict punishment for employers and parents.

V. Eve Teasing

1. Women experience physical and psychological harassment
2. No awareness about harms of eve teasing and how to prevent it among girls and boys
3. Government should include lesson to prevent Eve Teasing in School Curriculum
4. Representations to Faith Leaders to spread awareness against Eve Teasing in their weekly congregationsRepresentation to a Pastor about Eve Teasing A Social Scientist in Making

VI. Public Services

1. Disposal of garbage is getting worse because bins are not available.
2. Irregular and unclean water supply
3. Most people are not aware of how to make complaints and about the Call Centers and Apps of GHMC, Water Works and Electricity departments
4. Reaching out to people to help download Apps and use Helpline numbers

VII. Plastic Usage

1. People are aware about the harms of using plastic but continue to use for convenience
2. Seal plastic bags manufacturing factories.
3. It is reported that one girl student in Warangal threw away all plastic items from the house and asked parents to use items of steel and other non- plastic material. Similar Reports from other citiesVIII. Participatory Budgeting
1. Students and people in society have less knowledge about budgeting.
2. The future of students will be better if the students get knowledge about budgeting leading to better society.
3. Government should include lessons on budgeting in school curriculum
4. Government should give direction to all schools for inclusion and participation of students in school annual day, sport day and other events.

Atitudinal Transformation

Media Coverage

COVA devised pilot project to sensitize students about transforming society

In collaboration with the School Education Department, Government of Telangana, a pilot project called ‘Compassionate Citizenship Program’ has been organised by the Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA) in the state to sensitize school students about social issues faced by the society and help them develop a sense of purpose to transform communities and social environment thereby to promote a better society to live-in.During the program, it is said that around 500 students from 33 schools in Hyderabad city picked-up an array of the topics to work over the project being initiated by the COVA, an NGO working for the upliftment of the society through ensuring peace and harmony and literary promotions across the country.

According to MazhrHussain, the Executive Director of COVA Hyderabad, “Four districts such as Hyderabad, Mahabubnagar, Warangal and Vikarabad have been selected for implementation of a message oriented ‘Pilot Project’ that stretched over five months.”

During the five month long program, he said, around 25,000 students from 122 government, private and residential schools from both urban and rural areas of the four districts took part in the pilot project and picked up different themes that include Care for Elders, Problem faced by Parents while Educating Children, Social Media: Fake News, Child Labour, Eve Teasing, Public Services, Environment: Plastic Usage, Participatory Budgeting for Children, Basic Introduction to Social Science and Social Advocacy.

While working on a theme ‘Care for Elders,’ the students found that most of the elders suffer loneliness, ill-health and financial constraints in their serenity. After finding this, many students said they have started spending more time with their grandparents and enjoying their compassion.

The students even submitted representation to Ministers and officials concerned demanding special counters or timings for elders in government hospitals. They felt that elders should be with their families in serenity instead of Old Age Homes.

As part of the program, an event was organised today at Boys’ Town High School in Jahanuma area under Bahadurpura constituency experts delivered lectures to the students who participated in field visits and earned a formative experience while interacting with the society through working over the project.

It is said that so far, 44 experts delivered 1000 lectures on 10 different topics and sensitized a volume of 25,000 students out of which 10,700 have carried out nearly 230 field visits covering the pilot project spread over five long months.

“The pilot project will be extended further to other districts of the state in the days to come with a sole purpose to sensitive the students and help them turn a better human and transform the society through their individual and collective demeanor. Similar programs will be held in Warangal on March 25, Vikarabad on March 27 and Mahboobnagar on March 29,” informed MazherHussain

Religions for Peace
Intra Faith Initiatives

• Preaching peace, harmony and understanding (sadhbhavana) is religion
• Non Violence is the core value of all religions
• Violence is violation of faith and killing one is killing all of humanity
• Prophets gave their message for all humanity.
• But there is weaponisation of religions today
• Only religious leaders can deweaponise through Intra Faith initiatives and action.
• Potential and power of Intra Faith critiques and propagation of right values and perspectives in the name of religions should be explored and harnessed
• Interfaith notappropriate to address the issue of incorrect perspectives and practices within religions but will be required to connect different religions and communities

Why and How so much Hate Suddenly

• Earlier there used to be a subject of Moral Sciences where students could learn about different religions and values for life but it is removed from the curriculum
• We don’t know about our own religions but focus on what is propagated as bad of other religions
• All understanding of religions now left to social media or learning from those in opposition
• There is increasing misunderstanding and negativity about other religions
• There are also efforts to create insecurity around religious identities leading to further divide, hate and violence
• This is leading to increasing radicalization among youth with misunderstanding and misuse of religions acting as the source
• Women are also getting affected and radicalized
• Some religious leaders are also aggravating the situation through aggressive expressions and propagation of violence against other communities to attract and radicalise youth.

Current Conflicts- State – Disconnect with the “Other”

• Most of the conflict now is: Hindu- Muslim; Hindu – Christian and Muslim -Christian that needs to be addressed immediately
• Islam, that is a religion of peace and brotherhood, is being increasingly branded as violent and militant and leading to Islamophobia across the world- Making Islam and Muslims targets of hate and violence
• Religion has become a weapon of politics
• Rulers do not do anything for religions but may use them for politics and power
• Faith Leaders are not in regular and meaningful dialogue with the government
• Most discussions are within the like-minded groups- need to reach out to those who hold opposing views or differ with us- How to reach out to RSS, PFI etc.
• The present situation could lead to societal collapse
• How to preserve the Sanskriti of our country is a concern- end of sanskriti will be end of the country

Traditions – Social Media- Optics

• Organise regular ManavSansads with all religions
• Prevent recruitment of youth by extremist ideologies- Chambal Experience
• Youth to be motivated and trained systematically for peace- Faith Leaders can motivate
• Need to work with Non Political Faith Leaders, intellectuals and activists
• Development of positive content for social media
• Propagate Kathas, Folk Forms and Street Theatre through Social Media platforms for greater outreach and impact
• Optics of Harmony to be propagated extensively through creative content and in all forms and all platforms of social media and mainstream media
• Key concern should be prevention of violence and riots in localities

Action Points

Organisation
1. Preparation of a Vision Document, Policy and Strategy
2. A loose Coalition with minimum common program anddecentralised approach: different networks for North, South, East and West India
3. Outreach to link more Faith Based Organisations and other groups dedicated to harmony and sustained networking
4. State Committees- Similar programs in all States
5. Charter of Demands

Intra Faith Initiatives
1. Faith Leaders should check and reverse attempts at weaponising their religion through Intra Faith initiatives and action.
2. Faith Leaders can convey messages to their congregations regularly on issues of avoiding misuse or abuse of own religion, respect for other faiths and need and value of peaceful coexistence
3. Sarva Dharma Prarthanas to be used as often as possible in all gatherings
4. Ravidasis have started talking to those who are taking extreme stands who can damage society

Outreach to Masses, Government and Other Groups
1. Brief Messages by Faith Leaders to be propagated on social media-
2. Faith Leaders can do a lot and reach out to share our concerns with the government collectively
3. Blue print for checking violence and promoting harmony to be given to the Government
4. Outreach to universities and educational institutions
5. Seminars and Webnars- Link up with personality development courses
6. Peace Caravans
7. Mobile Van with pamphlets with posters for mass distribution and display
8. Sadhbhavana Videos- NafratChodo- DilJodo- Slogans
9. Enlist dedicated Volunteers
10. Formation of whatsapp groups
11. Social Media Challenge- Influencers – Content development
12. Common Social issues to be taken up

10 Point Plan for Action
1. Faith Leaders should check and reverse attempts at weaponising their religion through Intra Faith initiatives and action.
2. Faith Leaders can convey messages to their congregations regularly on issues of avoiding misuse or abuse of own religion, respect for other faiths and need and value of peaceful coexistence
3. Interfaith initiatives and programs should be planned and organized regularly
4. Outreach to schools, colleges, universities and communities through meetings, Peace Caravans and online programs
5. Social Media- Content development; Videos of Faith Leaders and Influencers; Link Folk and Street Theatre to Social Media- Weekly Web Channel
6. Sub Committee to establish dialogues with groups with different ideologies and approaches.
7. Faith Leaders should reach out to the government collectively and regularly to share our concerns and present a Blue Print for Harmony in Society
8. Formation of a loose, decentralized Network in the country to bring together Faith Organisations and Peace Groups to promote Intra Faith and Interfaith initiatives
9. Enlist and keep engaged Peace Volunteers from across constituencies as Shanti Dooths / Peace Ambassadors to promote harmony and prevent violence and riots in society

COVA along with other partner organisations of Religions 4 Peace have started work on the Action Plan and getting encouraging results

Part –II : Nurturing Peace
Preventing Violence in Localities

Part III : Empowering Communities
Summer Activism Program for School Students

Report
Student Activists disturbed by Hardship of Poor and Lower Middle Classes due to Rising Prices, People unaware about using services of GHMC and Nalas continue to be a threat:
Findings of Student Activists at the Summer Activism Program of COVA

COVA Peace Network organized a Summer Activism Programfor 25 students from different schools from 9th May 2022 to 22nd May 2022. This is part of the Compassionate Citizenship and Responsible Activism Program of COVA Peace Network with the objective of making students sensitive human beings and responsible citizens by providing direct experience to social issues and training in how to resolve them for general social good.

During the 15 day program, they were trained in how to undertake social sciences research, interview people, make systematic observations in the field, develop solutions for social problems and give representations to elected representatives and officials for redress of the problems. They were also oriented in using media to communicate with members of the public about different social problems and mobilise support for solving them.

The three social issues that were taken up at the Summer Activism Program were Impact of Rising Prices on different Sections of Society; Encroachment on Nalas: Dangers and Solutions and Accessing Civic Services: Opportunities and Issues.

Study on Impact of Rising Prices on different Sections of Society
Detailed interviews were conducted with 71 persons from 4 Sections of Society: Poor (monthly income less than Rs. 10,000) Lower Middle Class (monthly income fromRs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000), Middle Class (monthly income between Rs40,000 to Rs. 60,000) and High Income Group with income above Rs. 80,000.

Interview with Poor Vendor on Impact of Rising Prices

Student Activists giving Representations to Mr. K. Keshava Rao MP

Important Findings:
1. Baring High Income Group, all others are struggling to provide food for their families with all sections reporting reduction in food items and the quantities they could purchase and the findings given below are for the three Sections viz. Poor, Lower Middle and Middle Classes.
2. The only impacts due to rising prices the High Income Groups reported were with difficulties with EMIs, cutting down on vacations and increased cost of gold and silver.
3. All three sections reported increasing struggle with costs of petrol, cooking oil, kirana, LPG Gas, milk, vegetables and meat.
4. On an average, the poor reported a monthly decrease in purchase of Rice by 6 kg, Atta by 3 kg, Oil by 3 kg and Vegetables- so, even basic food is going beyond their reach.
5. Reduced incomes and increasing prices are making it difficult to pay for rent, fees, medical expenses, medicines and repay loans.
6. Some members from all the 3 Sections had to sell or pawn their assets like jewelry or vehicles just to provide for daily needs of the families.
7. Amongst Poor, 55% reported selling their assets and 33% pawned. Of the Lower Middle Classes and the Middle Classes, 25% sold their assets and 20% pawned them.
8. All the three Sections were forced to take loans with Lower Middle Classes leading the pack with 75% followed by 45% of the poor and 30% of the Middle Classes.
9. Another casualty of rising prices was savings by the people. The Poor had negligible savings and now no savings. 75% of Lower Middle Classes and 60% of the Middle Classes reported reduction in savings. 40% of the High Income Group also reported reduction in their savings.
10. Entertainment and outings also reduced for the poor by 73%, for Lower Middle Classes by 55%, for the Middle Classes by 53% and for the High Income Group by 37%.
11. Tragically, the Poor and the Lower Middle Classes reported that they could not buy clothes or have celebrations for the festivals.
12. Everyone was unanimous in their opinion that only the Government can check and reduce prices and it should act immediately.

Solutions
Based on the observations of the respondents and their own understanding, the Student Activists formulated the following solutions to reduce and check rise of prices:

1. Reduction in taxes across board by the Central and State Governments on all items
2. Reducing the prices of petrol and diesel to the previous level of Rs. 70 per litre.
3. Both the Central and State Governments must reduce Central Excise and VAT by 50% immediately and freeze them for at least a year
4. Strict regulation of school fees
5. Reduction in interest rates for all personal loans and loans for small businesses taken.
6. Reduction in interest rates on EMIs and increase in time for repayment
7. Unemployment allowance as subsistence support.

The Team of Student Activists working on civic services offered by GHMC, Water Works and Electricity departments found that there were no serious issues with the electricity department but supply of water was of concern in some areas. With GHMC, the issue of garbage on the roads in many areas has become a big problem along with irregularity in sweeping of streets,pot holes, damaged manhole covers,street lights and stray dogs etc.

Student Activist helping a Shop Owner to Download GHMC App

Garbage in a Nala

The Bin Free City experience seems to be a failure so far as SAT Trolleys are not reaching every house regularly and citizens are throwing their garbage on the streets- and without Bins, garbage is spreading all over the road. There is an urgent need to put the Bins back till such time as the door to door collection is streamlined and becomes efficient.

Further, there is very little awareness amongst people about the mechanisms available to make complaints to different departments. 80% of the people had not heard about the Call Center or APP of GHMC and only 5% had lodged a complaint with APP or Call Center. Student Activists motivated 35 persons to download the APP and helped another 26 to register their complaints through the Call Center. Within 3 days, 15 complaints were successfully resolved and follow up action is underway to ensure all complaints are resolved.

The Team working on flooding of Nalas found that the major problems were encroachments and throwing of garbage in the Nalas. Though GHMC has demolished over 250 houses in Al JubailColony, the debris is not removed and this could lead to more flooding during the monsoon. It is important to remove all the debris and garbage from within and near the Nalas to protect the city from the threat of flooding again.

Finally, the poor are forced to construct houses on Nalas as they cannot afford any proper land near their work places in the city. International norms of Urban Planning require that a percentage of the land should be earmarked for the poor for their living space. As this is not being followed in Hyderabad, the poor encroach Nalas putting themselves and others in danger.

Student Activists giving orientation to Teachers and Students of a School in using GHMC App

Student Activists giving representation to Mr. Ashok Samrat, Zonal Commissioner GHMC

After conclusion of their orientation and field study, Student Activists met and submitted representations to Mr. K. KeshavRao, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Mr. Amin UlHasanJafri, Member of Legislative Council Telangana, Mr. Ashok Samrat Zonal Commissioner, GHMC and Dr. Irshad, AMOH GHMC. All these policy and decision makers appreciated their efforts and recommendations of the Student Activists and assured to take up the matters with concerned authorities. The Student Activists also visited Siasat Group to understand the functioning of different media platforms and how to use media effectively to communicate with members of the public about different social problems and mobilise support for solving them.

Mr. Harinder and Ms. Niveditha of RodaMistry College of Social Work provided training in how to undertake social sciences research, interview people and make systematic observations in the field. They were oriented in using media to communicate with members of the public about different social problems and mobilise support for solving them by Mr. Ehtesham, Dean, MAANU. Ms. SudhaGoparaju, development Consultant made a presentation on Rising Prices: Reasons and Consequences and Mr. NayeemudinSiddiqui of GHMC explained about the dangers of encroachment on Nalas and the initiatives by GHMC to make Nalas free of obstructions. Mr. Moinuddin Ali Khan trained them in using web for research on social issues and Dr. Mazher Hussain, Executive Director of COVA Peace Network coached them in developing solutions for social problems and giving representations to elected representatives and officials for redress of these problems.

Mr. Mohammed Kaleem, Program Officer of COVA coordinated the Program in collaboration with Mr. M. Ajay Kumar, Finance Officer. Ms. Fatima Begum, Ms. Naziya and Ms. Naseem Begum provided all the logistics support.
All the Student Activists agreed that before enrolling in the program they had no idea about how to engage with and understand social issues and work for their resolution. They pledged to continue their engagement with different issues in their areas and strive to make society better.

Summer Activism Program at Birla Open Minds School Link given Below
https://www.covanetwork.org/sap-birla-2022/

Swami Agnivesh and PrafulBidwai Memorial
20th Sambandh Annual Inter School &Intercollegiate Competitions
On 30th August 2022 at Hyderabad

The Theme for Swami Agnivesh and Praful Bidwai Memorial Annual Sambandh Competitions organized on Tuesday, 30thAugust 2022, at Hyderabad was “How can Students Check Different Forms of Violence in Society”. Over 1500 students from 59 schools and colleges participated.Events included Debates, Declamation, Quiz, Essay Writing, One Act Plays, Posters with Slogans and the Topics were:
1. Different types of violence in society and their impact;
2. Violence faced by Women and how can they be protected;
3. What are the major conflicts in India and how can they be addressed
4. Why is there war in Ukraine and its impact on the worldThe students wrote essays on major conflicts in India and how to address them and the impact of war in Ukraine on the world, drew posters and created slogans on violence faced by women and impact of different types of violence on society. Debated about how different conflicts in India can be solved and mounted moving One Act Plays on different forms of violence faced by women.

The most common refrain that emerged from all the presentations and deliberations of students was concern about growing differencesabout communal, caste, gender issues within society and decrease in interactions within different communities, groups and classes. The only way is to reach out to, understand the view point and befriend members of other groups and communities.

The students took a pledge to interact with and befriend at least one person from another community and contribute to better understanding for a harmonious and peaceful and society.

The objective of this annual event is to sensitize students and youth to different issues with focus on violence in society and war and to motivate them to address social issues proactively for promotion of harmony and peace.

Speaking at the Inaugural Program Mr. VithalRao , President, AryaPrathinidhiSabha recalled the spirited contributions of Swami Agnivesh for liberation of bonded labour, abolition of child labour and spoke of his exemplary contributions for communal harmony and peace.

Prof. ChannaBasavaiah introduced PrafulBidwai, the renowned journalist and his lifelong struggles across the globe for denuclearization and for abolition of war.

Mr. T. Muralidharan, Chairperson of TMI Groups spoke about the range of initiatives by his group to promote education with quality and concerns for social issues. He stressed that a peaceful society is necessary for growth of business and ensure prosperity for all.

Mr. Shakeel Sultan, formerly of Zahid Group of Saudia Arabia warned the students about the impact of communal violence on all. He narrated how he had to get married during curfew as communal violence had broken out to shouts of concern and disbelief from the audience.

In his Presidential Remarks, Bro. Varghese Theckaneth spoke about how Hindu and Muslim children go to different schools leading to furthering the communal divides and how he started a number of schools that encourage students from all communities to join and this is greatly helping better social integration in the neighbourhoods.

Delivering his Presidential Address at the Valedictory Function, Mr. S.A. Huda, IPS, former Director General of Police, Government of Andhra Pradesh lauded the spirited performances by the students and their remarkable understanding of issues. He appreciated the presence of large number of girls in the gathering and encouraged them to do their best for themselves and for society.

He felt that the students can and should come forward to mend the growing divides in society and create a better future for all. Echoing the sentiments of Mr. Huda, the Secretary of Exhibition Society appreciated the speeches and performances of the students that he could hear through the day and offered that facilities of Exhibition Club are always available for these programs that can lead to a better and harmonious society.

Ms. Rama Rahimtula Founder of Happiness Udaipur mentioned that this is the first such program she is attending in Hyderabad and is pleased with the large gathering. She appreciated the topics of the program and urged the students to dedicate themselves to work for making society better.

Mr. ZainRahimtula, Director of Rahimtula Group of Companies was all praise for the enthusiasm of the students and urged that we should not consider colour, religion, caste etc but work for all and especially for women and children.

Mr. Ignatius Xavier, the Peace Artist had judged the Poster and Slogan event and also the One Act Plays. He appreciated the outstanding performances in both events and made a special mention of a girl from the Poster and Slogan event who had also raised the issue of violence against men by some women. He said that there is a need to curb violence in all form in society.

Ms. Aziz Sultana, educationist and Joint Secretary of COVA Peace Network urged that there should be no difference men and women and all are equal and should live and interact accordingly.

Dr, MazherHussain elaborated about the Compassionate Citizenship and Responsible Activism Program of COVA of which Sambandh is a component. The objective of this program is to sensitise students to social issues to enable them to develop compassion for others and become better human beings. He informed that discussion is on with Education Department of the Government of Telangana to include Compassionate Citizenship Program in school curriculum and the Program is expected to start in 100 schools of Telangana shortly.

194 prizes were distributed to winners of different events and participation certificates were given to all those who participated.

The Program honours the memories of Swami Agnivesh for his work for Bonded and Child labour and contributions to peace and harmony in society and of the renowned journalist and anti- nuclear activist
PrafulBidwai.

Pre Matric Scholarship for SC, ST, BC and Minority Students

The Opportunity and Challenges:
The Central and State Governments have very large amounts budgeted for Pre-Matric Scholarships for SC, ST, BC and Minority students.

However, the scheme remains grossly underutilized by students from all economically and socially disadvantaged sections. Reasons for under-utilization are lack of awareness about the scheme, limitations in accessibility to internet, Aadhaar card linkages, difficulty in opening bank accounts and registration of schools with the concerned Ministries.

COVA Peace Network took up these issues and gained success through effective advocacy to enable students to avail the scholarships with ease

Intervention and Support by COVA Peace Network
COVA Peace Network facilitates students to avail Pre-Matric Scholarships through a 16 Step Process including the following:

• Enabling students to obtain Aadhar cards, income and caste certificates
• Opening of bank accounts
• Online submission of forms by data entry operators equipped with laptops and dongles.
• Enrollment of schools with authorities.
• Facilitating Schools to verify all applications from their school
• Follow up with officials for processing of forms.

All this totally free of charge for students and is supported by Donations

Track Record of COVA Peace Network
In Enabling Students to Access Pre Matric Scholarsips
From 2017- 18 to 2022- 23

With the students now having to spend only about Rs. 90 in the first year and nothing in subsequent years, for all the required documents, many students have started coming forward and engaging with the processes required to obtain all the necessary documents to apply for Pre-Matric Scholarships.

From Disappointment to Hope: Enabling Poor Students to Secure Government Scholarships

M. Sushmita is a class 10th student of MH Gupta High School in Santoshnagar. Her father is an attender in a private school and mother works as a maid in houses. Belonging to the SC community, Sushmita and her parents had never heard about the Pre Matric Scholarships Scheme. After the awareness about the scheme provided by COVA along with facilitation to obtain all the required documents and free online submission of the form by operators of COVA who had visited her school, Sushmita got a scholarship of Rs. 3000 in February 2020.

For Report and more Case Studies, please visit:
https://www.covanetwork.org/pre-matric-scholarships/
To Donate: https://www.covanetwork.org/collaborate/donate/

Refugee Facilitation Center