Earliest Learning - Sajag in Rajnandgaon

Conference on Early Learning New Delhi . Sept 26, 2013

The Rajnandgaon Process

• Attempt to embed learning about child development in a relatively large number of village residents for long term sustainability.

• Use of “mindful cascade” in at least a part of the project.

• Attempt to involve multiple government departments to address the child’s needs in an integrated manner.

Convergence of Govt. Departments

• Good experiences at the field level• People from different departments learnt from

each other and conversations began that otherwise wouldn’t have

• Health and WCD have both gotten interested in introducing the ideas in their respective fields

• Convergence at policy and strategy level still a challenge

Embedding Knowledge Locally

• Excellent experience with the Master Trainers and Village Communicators

• Training processes brought their personal experiences of child-rearing into focus

• Several have become evangelists for the ideas• Most are influential locally so the programme

could transform communities• Contextualisation of materials a challenge and

deep learning for us

Mindful Cascade

Training process incorporated– Several rounds of short training sessions to ensure

comprehension, retention and transmission– Connecting trainees’ personal experiences with

ideas taught and on-going reflection on field experiences

– Emphasis on planning– Modelling and supportive supervision at each level

of the cascade

Future Directions

• CLR / UNICEF involvement in Rajnandgaon will come to an end in March 2014.

• SHRC, Chhattisgarh has decided to incorporate the ideas in their annual state-wide Mitanin training programme

• SHRC, Chhattisgarh has also asked CLR to provide support for Fulwaris being set up in 85 blocks in the state by working in a lab of 50 fulwaris

Future Directions

• WCD, Maharashtra and Rajmata Jijau Health and Nutrition Mission, Maharashtra have expressed interest in incorporating the ideas in their programmes