Bhagavatula Charitable Trust

Bhagavatula Charitable Trust (BCT) was established in 1976 by Dr. Parameshwara Rao, a man who has dedicated his life for the upliftment of the rural poor, in and around the Vishakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. It has pioneered a unique Integrated Rural Development (IRD) program. Literacy gets special attention at BCT because they consider it to be a key ingredient to the success of IRD, and above all it builds self-confidence.

The literacy program in BCT has 5 important aspects. They are:

1. Child Literacy and Training Program (CLTP) CLTP is one of BCT's most inspired inventions. It is a one year residential program for children aged 10 to 14 with no prior education. The program covers material from grades 1 through 5 in just one year! Comprehensive education splits time as follows:
   • 30% Education
   • 30% Vocational training
   • 30% Moral and ethical values
   • 10% Health

   Students being taught bicycle repair.

2. Non Formal Education (NFE) NFE is a night school for children who work all through the day. It teaches children the equivalent of grades 1 through 5 in about 2.5 years. There are 3 levels, each with a primer to complete and an examination to pass. Instructors and volunteers serve as mentors and friends.
3. Adult Literacy Adult literacy involves the following 4 steps:
   • Identify rural "motivators".
   • Motivators find novel methods to convert the villagers to the cause of literacy.
   • They tutor adults for 10 months.
   • They involve the whole community to make "Literacy as a Movement of People" (LAMP).

   Dr. Rao talking to rural motivators

4. Neo-literacy The neo-literacy program helps maintain and polish the skills acquired from the literacy programs by:
   • Publishing neo-literate newsletters.
   • Building libraries with books suitable for neo-literates.
   • Developing reading material for neoliterates.
5. Vocational Training Vocational training is a natural extension to literacy, where a person learns skill to economically support themselves. Some skills taught at the school for skills are:
   • Toy making: Candidates are trained to make Etikoppaka toys. They are then employed to make toys which are then exported.
   • Electrician training: A 13 month course is offered on repairing electrical equipment. The graduates are assured of work, as there is always some electrical equipment that needs fixing.