Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement

The Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement was started by a group of medical students to work with dispossessed tribals in H.D.Kote taluk, Karnataka. A Viveka Tribal Learning Center (VTCL) at Hosahalli, has grown from a thatched hut with a few students to a government recognized semi-residential school imparting quality education to over 400 children; helping them fit into the mainstream while retaining pride in, and contact with, their tribal heritage.
The VTCL today trains teachers from other schools, develops teaching aids, and enhances children's lives with innovative concepts like joyful learning, experiential learning and activity based learning. The organization has also entered into a partnership with the government to work in 312 government schools of H D Kote taluk in Karnataka. Implementation of mobile schools to reach remote tribal areas is direction taken up by this organization.
SVYM follows the Nali-Kali method of teaching (Rishi valley card system). Though they have adopted the government syllabus till 10th standard but exams are not the measurement of success. The child is sent to the next class based on his or her interest and willingness. The organization has developed workbooks in Kannada medium especially for Science and Mathematics since there is a dearth of such books. The organization is working closely with the School Development Management Committees (SDMC) set up by the government in these areas without creating more parallel structures. They interact with the teachers in government schools every month. One representative from SVYM participates in the SDMC. The objective is to increase the role of children in the education and reduce dropouts by encouraging the community to participate. SVYM promotes activities and opportunities for children to express themselves and their talents like singing, dancing, painting and other art forms.
SVYM is also working towards establishing accountability for a child's education. The child is considered in the context of the family and the society. Issues surrounding a school's functioning, the child's education and society's involvement in the school are addressed via posters and street plays.