Practice-oriented learning – counteracting school dropouts

Bayer CropScience is promoting practice-oriented schooling in the Indian state of Karnataka


The students acquire knowledge that is useful to them in their everyday lives: A basic greenhouse.

Bayer CropScience has launched the "Introduction to Basic Technology" (IBT) scheme to communicate and promote the benefits of education for young people in India. In a joint venture with two non-governmental organizations, Vigyan Ashram and Prajayatna, the company has been driving the project forward since spring 2008. It is based on the idea of learning by doing, and offers vocational training on one school day a week. It is aimed mainly at children attending state schools in years eight to ten and will give them skills that they can use in daily life.

Lessons are aimed primarily at providing a practical education. The students acquire knowledge that is useful to them in their everyday lives and will help them in their future careers. For example, the curriculum covers subjects such as the use and repair of a biogas oven, household tasks such as dressmaking, sewing or baking, plumbing and masonry work, and arable farming.


	Learning the basics of stitching and tailoring.

Coping with daily life better – offering vocational opportunities

Local studies conducted by Bayer CropScience have shown that people in the rural communities of India primarily expect schools to teach children how to cope better with daily life so that they can later learn a career and earn a living. Subjects with mainly theoretical contents like those on the curriculum at our schools in Europe are only of limited use in this context. This kind of school work is therefore often experienced as boring by the kids and as useless by their parents. The result is that the children stop attending school.

The new, work-related elements of the lessons are designed to increase the attractiveness and the benefits of schools to young people. They should also persuade the parents that attending school is worthwhile and the key to a better future for their children. The fact that the school offers a perspective also lowers the risk of children having to work.


Students preparing biscuits as a part of their Introduction to Basic Technology Home and Health Class.

More than 1,000 children have already been helped

Bayer CropScience is implementing the project in close collaboration with the responsible school authorities. From December 2008 to late June 2009, more than 1,000 children were reached with more than 40 local instructors. Marked effects are already apparent: “The children who take part in our scheme show a much higher level of interest in regular school attendance. Parent participation in school activities has also increased dramatically,” says Suhas R. Joshi, Head of the Bayer CropScience Child Care Program. “The ’Introduction to Basic Technology’ program involves more than just teaching job-related contents. It also teaches children the ability to learn.”

"We launched the IBT project in December 2008 as a pilot scheme in five schools in the state of Karnataka”, says Satyajeet Subramanian, project manager with the Child Care Program, “It is intended primarily to reduce the number of school dropouts, make school education more interesting and strengthen the relationship between the school and the community.”


Students of Introduction to Basic Technology Material Class preparing the foundation for a water pit.

“My goal is to pass the Year 10 exam”

Ravi is a 14-year-old boy from Hosur, a village in the south of the Indian state Karnataka. He initially went to school, but his attendance became increasingly irregular as a teenager. “I didn’t learn anything at school to help me earn my living in later life,” says Ravi.

Having completed a number of courses under the “Introduction to Basic Technology” initiative, he became particularly interested in electrical installation. Ravi now once again attends school regularly. “The courses provide useful know-how and I’m now also interested in learning more about other subjects. My goal is to pass the Year 10 exam with a mark of 80 – 90 percent,” he adds.

[ last update: Thursday, September 10, 2009 ]