EWRF CSI Initiative – A time for community review

Datuk Dr Denison making a presentation at the EWRF CSI Review Meeting

EWRF volunteers gathered to review a very important community program which they have been undertaking targeting the underachievers who are at risk of crime and anti social behavior called Community Service Initiative - CSI.  This took place on Sunday, Jan 23, 2011 at Dynasty Hotel. For more details(http://www.ewrf.org.my/)

Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria was invited as a guest to share some thoughts. Also present at the function were Dato A Yogesvaran (EWRF President), Mr SP Nathan (Vice President), the main organiser and Mr K Arumugam (who was invited to moderate the review).

In his talk Dr Denison made a number of observations and suggestions

Observations

Dr Denison congratulated EWRF for the fine work they were doing especially in targeting underachieving youths and seeing the close correlations between weak education performance and behavior issues. He acknowledged the vision and dedication of the EWRF leadership and volunteers.

He made reference to his earlier work while he was in YSS on the five levels of intervention which is relevant for analysis and reflections.

The five levels:-

Level 1- Youth living in high risk neighborhoods

Level 2 – Youths at risk of social ills

Level 3 – Youths in active involvement in crime

Level 4 – Youths in custody

Level 5 – Youths in the post custody stage

He recognized that EWRF was involved more at level 1 and 2 which has a strong focus on prevention. This he affirmed is valid and of utmost importance. However to stop the cycle of dysfunctional youths there is a need for involved in all five levels and there was a need in the community to identify other partners who can play that role in order to ensure a comprehensive and holistic intervention takes place.

Dr Denison also recognized in the case of EWRF there was specific targeting of youths who were not only academically weak but ones who have behavior problems and who are from low income families. This specific targeting is necessary and can be used an indicator to measure achievements and challenges

Some suggestions made

The guest speaker went on the list out five specific suggestions for the review team to keep in mind as the volunteers reflect on their work noting both achievements and challenges. This must include - charting a course of action to move the agenda forward in enhancing the potential of young people.

EWRF -CSI volunteers

• Documenting the learning journey

This whole process of identifying the educational needs and concerns, developing the modules, teaching materials, documenting the experiences at the ground, noting stories of achievements & success, failures & challenges is an integral component of the learning journey. This will be very useful and EWRF can set the framework for other NGOs to also use the modules and experiences to reach out in other locations and areas.

• Be community focused in the intervention

While the current approach is to ferry the children and young people from their homes to a nearest community hall or Tamil school, there must be a parallel focus on local communities and neighborhoods. In so doing it will ensure that these initiatives are sustainable.

The weak link in urban neighborhoods is the failure of local community leadership to take control. In so doing the project will become a sustainable initiative. By not developing a community based approach, it will result in dependency on the NGO providing the service and this in the long run will not be sustainable especially when funding runs out or there is a change in the priorities of the NGO.

• Undertake impact assessment

Appoint an external consultant to undertake impact assessment. In order to do this effectively the impact assessment tools and indicators must be very clear developed early on and a tracking system for individual process. These are at two levels. One is on the project and organization and the other is tracking the change and transformation experienced by the youths.

In this context the background data gathered must also include not just academic performance but also challenges faced by the young person such as discipline issues in schools, attendance at school and if there is any crime involvement by the individual or any member of the family.

• Scaling up the project & enlarging the outreach

Many NGOs undertake good micro projects but in order to make an impact it must be scaled up to impact at least 70 to 80% of the target group. In the cases of underachievers  it could be between 6,000 to 10,000 entering secondary school directly to Form 1 or via the Remove call system each year. We therefore need to see how the program can be scaled up to impact at least 10,000 youths nation wide

Therefore we need to evaluate what kind of resources we need and who else can partner with us. Furthermore what resources can we tap from the Federal government and agencies is also a point for reflection. In this context during this review process EWRF could also ask what role could the Taskforce play to enhance this project?

EWRF -CSI Volunteers

• Drawing policy implications and undertaking policy advocacy

It is important during the review process to critical reflect on the policy implications of the work. What polices should be reviewed? In what ways can socio-educational programs be introduced by Ministry of Educations to address these issues of underachievers?

Government has gone on to establish Trust schools in the Tenth Malaysia Plan where there is a smart partnership between private sector and schools to enhance productivity and performance. Why another scheme to be introduced as smart partnerships with NGOs to work with underachievers or undertake radical teaching –learning outcomes to ensure that educational institutions develops special programs for underachievers. How can Ministry of Education institute smart partnerships with NGOs like EWRF so that these CSI programs are an integral part of education and appreciated by the federal government?

Therefore policy research and advocacy is a complementary role along side direct deliver of services and programs. Therefore emerging out of the EWRF-CSI initiative emerges valuable lesson which should be better articulate and promoted.