Project Sahaj Path During Pandemic Situation
The education sector suffered a lot due to the outbreak of Covid 19. Classes had been suspended and examinations at various levels were postponed. Different Boards had postponed the annual examinations and entrance tests. The admission process got delayed.
The introduction of online classes at various levels gave rise to the digital divide right from the primary level to the university level. A small section of the students could avail of the opportunity of online classes, but a vast majority of students were debarred from learning either in the city or especially in the rural areas where smartphones were not available to the students.
The absence of in-person classes for almost 2 years has left many children lagging in terms of learning and teachers should begin from where the students are stuck instead of only focusing on the syllabus— Abhijit Binayak Banerjee was speaking at the release of the Annual Status Education Report,2021 for rural Bengal.
“Now that schools are reopening, the focus should be on uplifting children who are lagging in terms of learning so that they are able to understand the lessons being imparted in the standard to which they have been promoted.”
Unless we look beyond grade level and strive to bridge the gap between where the students are now and where they should be in real terms, they will soon lose interest in pursuing learning and it would not be exaggerated if we say that the exodus of students will be inevitable if they could reach class VIII as no retention policy is being followed as per Act.
SARADA VIDYAPITH
In 2017, we started our learning centre with thirty students from class I to class IV of nearby slums coming from underprivileged sections at the premises of Sarada Bidyapith, a school owned by Cathedral Relief Service at Sarada Pally, Jessore Road.
We continued there with our avowed mission as mentioned hereinbefore till the virus invaded the entire world and we had to close in-person classes on and from 18th March, 2020. Even during the lockdown period, we made efforts to teach the students on WhatsApp platforms with satisfaction beyond our comprehension.
That too, we had to stop when the guardians of the students moved out of their houses to earn their livelihood and the availability of smartphones with the students was becoming scarcer. During this period, we tried to arrange for tuition support for the students of class IV so that they can cope up with the studies of class V in future.
POST-COVID SURVEY ON PROJECT SAHAJ PATH AND ITS OUTCOME
With the virulence of COVID waning gradually and the restriction of opening schools being removed, at the beginning of 2022, we initiated a survey in the vicinity of Bediapara and adjoining areas.
The centre started on 7th March 2022 dividing the number of children into two groups under two teachers, Srabani and Ranu. The centre again resonates with the sweet murmuring sounds of the innocent children.
We want them to enjoy their childhood at our centre and to learn the basics joyfully through music, play, stories and other innovative ways to which our teachers are very keen.
GIFTING OF PUJA GARMENTS
It needs to be mentioned that even during the lockdown period, we distributed food kits to the families of the children as well as to other households as mentioned before. We also handed over new puja garments to the children of our then centre during this period of 2020 and 2021 to bring smiles to them.
