FED Information and Members of BoT

Foundation for Education and Development (FED) was set up in August 2000 as a public charitable trust. The mission of FED is to use education as a tool for people’s empowerment to realise the vision of an egalitarian and value based society. The long term organizational objectives are to support and implement field based programme of education and development; to provide a forum for networking, support and sharing of ideas and experiences among like mended organizations, NGOs and individuals and to promote research in education to inform policy at various levels.

FED is managed by a Board of Trustees. ‘Doosra Dashak’ project has been the main activity of FED since its inception. The programme started with financial support of Tata Education Trust in two blocks of Rajasthan viz Bap and Kishanganj of Jodhpur and Baran districts respectively. The programme was expanded to three additional blocks namely, Bali (district Pali), Abu Road (district Sirohi) and Pisangan (district Ajmer). Bali block was initiated with funds provided by MacArthur Foundation in September 2003, Abu Road block was taken up in October 2003 with financial assistance of ActionAid and UNIFEM and work in Pisangan block began in July 2005, again with the funding from ActionAid India.

The Board of Trustees of FED has constituted an Executive Committee for management of the Doosra Dashak project and has delegated to it full administrative and financial powers in regard to Doosra Dashak. The chairman of the FED is also the chair of Executive Committee holding responsibility for policy and programmes.

The organization has a clear policy on gender. Guidelines have been laid down as per the order of the Supreme Court of India on "Redressal of Sexual harassment and gender insensitivity at the work place". Complaint Committees have been set up at the state as well as block level to hear and redress grievances. These committees are headed by noted women with strong perspective on gender issues.

Accounts are maintained at the block level and supervised by the SCU accounts staff. Budget is made at the level of Steering and Coordination Unit after consultation with field colleagues and allocated as per the approval given by a specific funding agency. Separate accounts are maintained for FCRA and Non FCRA funds, separate books are also kept for each funding agency. To ensure uniformity and accuracy in maintenance of accounts, Accounts and Financial Rules have been prescribed. All employees are provided with provident fund as per the law/rules laid down by government of India. FED has strong conviction in favour of transparency, particularly in financial matters.

Board of Trustees Members:

• Shri Anil Bordia, Chairman & Managing Trustee - formerly Secretary of Education, Govt. of India and former Chairperson of Lok Jumbish.
• Dr. S. Anandalakshmy - formerly Director, Lady Irwin College, Internationally known specialist in Child Development.
• Professor R. Govinda - Senior Fellow, NIEPA and a researcher of international repute.
• Professor AK. Jalaluddin - formerly Professor, Science Education NCERT, New Delhi and consultant to several innovative educational projects in Bangladesh and India.
• Dr. Kiran Karnik - President, NASSCOM, New Delhi.
• Dr. Radhika Hersburger - Director, Rishi Valley School, Chittoor District, AP.
• Ms. Anita Kaul IAS - Joint Secretary, Ministry HRD (Department of Elementary Education & Literacy), New Delhi.