"Mata Amritanandamayi Math runs this job-training programme in Idukki, Kerala and in Sivakasi, Tamil
Nadu. Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) is a unique scheme crafted by the Government of India. JSSs are Institutes of People's Education, focusing on the poor, the illiterates, the neo-literates, the underprivileged and the un-reached. The JSSs are unique in that they do not provide just skill development, but link literacy with vocational skills and provide large doses of Life Enrichment Education (LEE) to the people. They do not work in isolation but aim for convergence with other stakeholders in society. It is their endeavor to shape their beneficiaries into self reliant and self assured employees and entrepreneurs.
They are different from other vocational training institutions as they offer quality vocational skills and technical knowledge at such a low cost; provide need based and literacy-linked vocational training in most courses without insisting on age limit or prior educational qualifications; reach out to the clientele in their areas unlike other institutions which the clientele has to access. Their doors are open to everyone and they reach out to their clientele group by setting up sub centers in the heart of the slums or in remote rural areas. Skill enhancement and out look formation trainings and inputs and empowerment – oriented interventions accelerate the social, economic and health status of women and adolescent girls.
JSS Activities
Training Programmes
For a training program to succeed it its important to gauge the needs and demands of the district. The courses vary in duration and range from candle and soap to tailoring and computer courses.
Long Duration Courses are for those interested in seeking jobs outside their homes, getting places as welders, plumbers, nursing aides etc., for unemployed, below poverty line youth, for school dropouts (who need skill enhancement), for householders who need a supplementary income as carpenters, electricians etc, literacy linked vocational training is imparted.
Short duration courses are for housewives for whom the supplementary income means rice and school fees; for equivalency learners in CE centers, illiterate/neo-literate daily wage earners; the mentally and physically challenged who are unable to do taxing work; as an alternative lifestyle for people leading an antisocial life, and for other collaborating agencies like ICDS, Kudumbasree, Panchayat Projects etc.
Gifting a Uniform
The tailoring courses of Amrita JSS, have a unique feature. For the practical examination, the teaching and learning material is provided by Amrita JSS. The beneficiaries have to measure and stitch uniforms for the poor school children in their neighbourhood
Srushti
Srushti, is a forum conceived to bring out the creativity among the beneficiaries of JSS. Amrita JSS is one of the proud organizations that have been gifted with a horde of youngsters talented in the field of public entertainment. This troop performs cultural programmes, including music with enormous festivity
Amrita Santhwanam
“Amrita Santhwanam” is a project inspired by the noble vision of AMMA and the Life Enrichment Education embedded in the JSS syllabus. Kits of food staples are being distributed every month to the old, needy and abandoned people of Idukki & Sivakasi
Janasree is the marketing arm of JSS, set up and managed by Math, to support
new JSS entrepreneurs in learning how to package and distribute their products
through suitable outlets.
Jeevanam
Kerala holds the 1st place in the terrible tragedy of suicides. Idukki has the dubious distinction of topping the list among the districts of Kerala. JSS Idukki has envisioned a programme named “Jeevanam” – “A Helpline for Healthy Living”. The four major aspects of Jeevanam are
Awareness classes
Teacher training course in yoga and meditation
Certificate course in guidance and councelling
Vocational Training
Jeevanam activities conducted are:
A school level survey on suicide committed in their vicinity
School level classes on methods of reducing exam fear, personality development, leadership qualities, communication skill, stress management.
A “Jeevanam” survey was conducted to identify children of below-poverty-line parents who have committed suicide or are on the verge of bankruptcy. Based on the survey, 250 scholarships for the deserving for a period of 5 years were given. It was indeed a very successful Quality of Life Improvement Programme
Amritam, a “Helpline for Self-Reliance,” fosters incomegenerating,
self-help groups in deprived communities and especially in tribal hamlets. JSS staff interact with the villagers and jointly decide with each community the necessary skills and tools they need to become self-sufficient.
Aksharadanam
Aksharadanam is a project through the beneficiaries of JSSs vocational progammes can dedicate their time for the benefit of their fellow beings. Through this programme each and every beneficiary of JSS will identify an illiterate person in their community or neighbourhood and make them functionally literate. Literacy Linked Vocational Training Programme - Literacy classes are being given to the tribal women as part of this programme, with the aid of computers.
Amritannam - Amrita Students Forum and the staff of JSS Idukki join hands on Sunday - by providing a one day a week meal the patients of Govt. Ayurveda Hospital.
Common Facility Center - Amrita JSS started a Common Facility Center (CFC) for the beneficiaries of the production oriented coursed. They are able to use the space and machinery for free. The CFC is envisioned as an incubation center for JSS beneficiaries till they gain the experience, confidence and linkages with banks to start production units on their own.
Amrita Vihar - Amrita Vihars are centres in the tribal areas that complement the regular schooling of the tribal children. These children are not supported at home by their illiterate parents, and the dropout rate is high after the 3rd standard. They are given supplementary classes at the “Amrita Vihars” to keep them updated with their school work.
Other activities of Amrita JSS
Super Speciality Medical Camp
Eco-Tourism, Training tribal people as forest guides
Janasree is the marketing arm of JSS, set up and managed by Math, to support
new JSS entrepreneurs in learning how to package and distribute their products
through suitable outlets. 