Principal’s orientation meeting at Mumbai Smiles

EDI addressing the Principals

On 27th November 2014, a principal orientation meeting was organized at Mumbai Smiles office. The meeting was organized to strengthen the partnership between our partner schools and Mumbai Smiles. Initially, the Future Smiles team welcomed the principals and senior teachers of partner schools. The meeting then started with a brief introduction about Mumbai Smiles by Mr. Narendera Kumar Dundu, our EDI. He explained how Mumbai Smiles envisions a poverty free society and a society free of injustice, where all citizens enjoy basic human rights.

Sarvoparita and Preeti, members of Future Smiles team then took over and discussed the importance of Partnership with schools for smooth functioning of project activities. Pari explained that it is very important that the Nodal person (School assistant Teacher) coordinate with Field coordinators, Selection Committee selects beneficiaries as per criteria and that school authorities attend orientation workshop to understand guidelines, process, formats, working pattern etc. Preeti (Programme Officer) also explained about various activities carried out by Future Smiles team. For the better future of beneficiaries, she emphasized that students should attend events such as career exploration workshops, exposures camps, capacity building sessions, personality development sessions, stress management sessions etc.

Representatives from schools also participated actively. Mr. More (Marol Pragatik School) discussed various problems faced by schools such as scholarship form submissions and lack of awareness among parents about different school activities. Lack of student participation, addiction to smoking, gutkha and other bad habits were some of the problems that were also emphasized by parents.

Overall the Principal orientation meeting was a great success. Both the Future Smiles team and school authorities agreed to organize similar orientations twice a year.