Businessman Harsh Goenka has shared a tweet of appreciation for a wonderful initiative adopted by a Jharkhand School. When the world is fighting the coronavirus pandemic, schools have moved to online classes. The teachers in Dumka's Dumarthar village have found a new way to teach students who do not have access to smartphones. Teachers have painted blackboards on the walls of houses and lessons are imparted using loudspeakers as students write on the blackboard maintaining social distancing.
This step will ensure that underprivileged children in remote corners of the country do not miss on their studies. The teachers will guide these students personally, and the School Education and Literacy Department has prepared the SOP in this regard which is to be presented before the state government for approval.
"Talks are on the concept of ‘mohalla class’ under which teachers weekly hold classes with small groups of students every week,” said an official.
"In a village in Jharkhand, blackboards have been placed with social distancing where students write their lessons and the teacher uses a loudspeaker to teach them. 200 students are taught in this special class. Amazing initiative in our incredible India!" Harsh Goenka tweeted.
"Excellent initiative...Where there is a will, there is a way...! We just hope this pandemic will be over very soon to see our life on normal track. Nothing can substitute the sheer ease of fundamentals of normalcy," wrote one Twitter user.
"It's a wonderful idea. As per the latest UNESCO report, 30% of the poor children (worldwide) don't have an internet connection and mobile phone to attend their regular classes. This should be replicated everywhere," another remarked.
"Nothing is impossible and where there is a will there's a way, really appreciate hard-working students and mentorship by teachers," wrote another Twitter user.
A teacher said: "Education has been impacted due to COVID-19. Students here did not have smartphones. We started 'Shiksha Aapke Dwaar' (education at your doorstep) so that children don't miss out on education. More than 100 blackboards have been created on walls to teach students at their houses.
Dumka Deputy Commissioner, Rajeshwar B praised the initiative and said that she will encourage other teachers to adopt the same concept.
"Our teachers are adopting new methods. Since schools are closed, content is being sent to students on WhatsApp. But in many areas, there are no smartphones at students'' houses. This initiative should be lauded. We will motivate other teachers to adopt this," she said.
The education ministry had released guidelines on Monday for the reopening of schools, cleaning and disinfection of the premises, flexibility in attendance, no assessment for up to three weeks. The ministry has also asked the states and Union territories to make their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) for health and safety precautions paying attention to the state’s situation.