Dear Readers,

A new year usually signifies new beginnings and resolutions. The CCS family is no different, as we embark with renewed vigour to achieve our vision of ‘Social Change through Public Policy’. In 2010 we hope to consolidate and extend our efforts in the field of education, governance, livelihoods and youth outreach.
In education, our focus will be on ensuring proper design and implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009, to truly empower each parent to ensure quality education provision of choice. Our work in the urban livelihood space has been moving forward with significant success and increased government support in light of the National Urban Street Vendors Policy 2009. We hope to finally achieve livelihood freedom – no more restrictive regulations, harassment and license raj – for the urban poor. CCS, a believer in the strength of a responsible and a critical thinking youth base will offer you innovative seminars and internship opportunities.
If YOU share the same zeal and commitment for social change, come join us, support us, critique us, and involve us. Write to me at parth@ccs.in if you decide that you’ve had enough, it’s time for change!

In liberty.

Parth J Shah
President, Centre for Civil Society

Online Resource for Right to Education
School Choice Campaign tracks the evolution of discourse around the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill though an online resource which is broadly divided in to three thematic areas: Legislation, Analysis and Research. Read more >>

Sibal & Das on RTE in the Media
MHRD Minister Shri Kapil Sibal’s answers to CCS Chairman Mr Gurcharan Das’s keynote speech at the National Progressive Schools Conference on Friday 19 Feb 2010 sparked off a heady discussion in the media. Here are some articles that outline this debate. Read more >>

No Land's Man- India abandons land & People at Indo-Bangladesh Border
CCS graduates Anoop Prakash Awasthi, Chaitanya Safaya, Deeksha Sharma, Tanya Narula & Satyajit Dey ventured into this crisis struck land to research the reality in a CCS sponsored project. Home Ministry told in a reply to an RTI query that “no rehabilitation scheme (for the border people) has been envisaged by this department”. Read More >>

India gets 5.5 out of 10 and ranks 53 among the 125 nations in the IPRI 2010
CCS released the International Property Rights Index 2010 Report on 23 February 2010 which measures the intellectual and physical property rights of 125 nations from around the world. This year, sixty-two international organizations, including Centre for Civil Society, partnered with the Property Rights Alliance in Washington, DC and its Hernando de Soto Fellowship program to produce the fourth annual IPRI. Read More >>

Are Private Schools Better?
With the RTE Act 2009 offering 25% seats in private schools to government-sponsored poor students, Dr Parth J Shah also proposes a similar choice to the other 75% in his article published in Business Standard on 3 February 2010. Read More >>

Scholarships offered by the Central Government available at www.schoolchoice.in
To streamline information, an online comparative table prepared by the Campaign lists different scholarships offered by the Central Government which are categorized on the basis of the level of study starting from school education, vocational and technical education up to higher education. Information on State Government scholarships for Delhi and Bihar are also available. Read more >>

Principals Forum organized for School Vouchers for Girls Pilot
First in the series of a yearly meet with the principals of empanelled schools of the School Vouchers for Girls pilot in Delhi, the Forum aims at bringing school leaders together to discuss implementation processes, payment transfer mechanism and pertinent issues in mainstreaming voucher children previously studying in government schools. Read more >>

‘Fund School Vouchers’ Registry Launched
Be it weddings, anniversaries or birthdays, invite your guests, friends and family to make a contribution on your special to our ‘Fund School Vouchers’ registry in lieu of gifts. The Rajagopalans kick start this initiative on the auspicious occasion of their marriage ceremony in 2010. Read more >>

38 students from 11 cities attend ISPP seminar in Delhi
CCS saw the completion of yet another terrific youth seminar on 24 January 2010 giving the year an excellent kick-start. The seminar comprised of panel discussions, working groups, role plays, open forums and interesting short activities and energizers to engage the participants in developing critical thinking. Read more >>

STUDENT FIRST! Dialogue Series
Open forum discussion on Implementing the 25% in RTE Act: Developing a Model
11 March 2010, 6-8pm, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India

RTE Model Rules Consultation
16 March 2010, 3-7 pm, New Delhi

Policy Roundtables with MPs
Right to Education Model Rules
Thursday 11 March 2010, 8 - 10 am, Constitution Club, New Delhi

Call for Entry
Entry closes on 30 June 2010

Summer Research Internship 2010
17 May - 16 July 2010
Application Deadline: 15 April 2010

Azadi Essay (Hindi) and Photo Competition
Win attractive Cash Prizes

Read Student First! School Choice Campaign’s newsletter

Read Student First! News, weekly updates on education

CCS Impact archives are available here