Pravin K. Shah
Accomplishments
The current Education Committee was established by JAINA in the year 2000. Within five years, the committee has prepared / revised, published, and distributed the following Pathashala material:
- 7 Pathashala books from Elementary level to College level (level1 to level 4) students
- One children Game
- Reference Material - Jainism Booklet, Essence of World Religion Book, and Jaina Education CD
The soft copy of all Jaina Education books and hard copy ordering information is available on the JAINA website:
http://www.jaina.org/educationcommittee/education_material/$$$PathashalaBooks/
Financial Status
The total cost of preparation, publications, and distribution of the above martial was about $140,000. During this time period we have sold about $85,000 worth of Pathashala books and reference material. We have also received $10,000 in contribution ($5,000 from North America and $5000 from UK) from individuals.
Hence we had to borrow $45,000 from individuals to pay for our Pathashala publications.
In near future we also need to print Level 3 book (JES 302) in October 2005 for High School youths and Level 4 book in November 2005 for College Youths. We estimate that will require additional funding of $20,000.
Federation of JAINA did not support financially to our Pathashala education activity because it is
JAINA's practice that the chairperson of each committee is responsible for its budget and funding.
Hence the chairperson of the Jaina Education committee becomes responsible for its total funding.The education committee sells the Pathashala books on a nearly cost basis. Hence ultimately we do recover the most of the printing / shipping expenses. However it takes around 3 to 5 years to sell the inventory. During this time period we need to keep and maintain a large amount of inventory of Pathashala books in order to provide timely support to various Jain Centers of North America and other countries. At present we have $55,000 in books inventory. We estimate that by year end 2006 we will have $100,000 in inventory to support our Pathashalas.
Advance payment Activity:
Two years ago almost every Pathashala base society of JAINA supported with advance payment and we had collected $40,000 in advance payment. We also received the advance payment from Jain societies of UK and Africa. Within two years these centers have purchased $35,000 worth of books. Hence at present we are left with only $5000 in advance payment from various societies. Also the accounting practice of several societies could not handle the on going advance payment process efficiently. We also would like to discontinue the advance payment process because accounting consumes significant time.
Request for Your Support
Currently we have about 3000 students in different Pathashalas of North America and the number is growing every year as we publish quality books and make them available at cost to every Pathashala. Last year alone, six new Pathashalas have started in smaller centers.
The Education committee needs a total of $100,000 (of which $10,000 is received) in contribution to maintain an inventory of books required by our Pathashalas for next three to five years. These books are updated and reprinted in three to five years of time cycle. This provides needed quantities of books to support Pathashala activities of North America as well as the Jain centers of UK and Africa and other countries.
Education is the most important element in preserving and expanding our great religion.
During Paryushan time, we financially support our local center and Jivadaya activities.
This year we request every Jain family of North America and others to also support our Pathashala education activities.
In addition we request all Jain centers to support through contribution from their general fund or from their education fund to the Jaina Education committee.
Please contribute generously for our children's religion education. If we receive more funds in contribution than our need, we will reduce the price of the pathashala books. The education committee should not have to continually borrow the funds from individuals to print our Pathashala Education books for our children.
Please send your contribution as follows:
Federation of JAINA - Education Committee
c/o Pravin K. Shah
509 Carriage Woods Circle,
Raleigh NC 27607 USA
If you have any questions please e-mail or call 919-859-4994.
Also please circulate this message to your members and others.
Regards
Pravin K. Shah, Chairperson
Jaina Education Committee
919-859-4994