GIFT THE GIFT OF EDUCATION TO AN UNDER-SERVED GIRL

Project “Gyantantra Digital Dost” uses Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to innovatively address multiple problems associated with the quality of education available to the poor in India: - Poor teaching quality, lack of quality teacher training - Inconsistency in teaching while teaching difficult concepts - Lack of motivation among children of the illiterate and the poor, to go to a nearby school –Absence of practice and printed work books in the Government  schools, that is a right of  every child - Lack of access to colourful storybooks, videos, and interactivity based multimedia learning content. This project has been able to empower and educate the children with lessons using ICT- Information Communication and Technology which fast tracked their learning on important subjects like Science, Maths, EVS, up to grade V along with subjects like HIV, Sexual Abuse, and Voting Rights & Opening of Bank Accounts. Gyantantra is a composite learning module feature -Well-structured curriculum, important text book subjects also focusing on Value education, financial literacy and stories on sexual abuse etc. Children between age 5 and above have benefitted from this module – their level is matched as per their faculties.

  This unique virtual teacher was able to: 

1. Accelerate the learning process
2. Raise the child’s reading ability to an age appropriate level
3. Settle the child in an age-appropriate grade at the end of the intervention period
4. Help children operate computers and use technology to learn at their own pace
5. Utilize the computer lab to showcase various documentaries such as financial literacy, life skills workshops and educative presentations.

 The GDD pedagogy helped:

1. Students to explore their own ideas and build robust knowledge on subject
2. Effective use of technology and intervention for betterment of learning outcome
3. Both students and teachers feel empowered to use technology in classrooms for better learning
4. Teachers find a way to leverage technology for professional development

 Name:  Manisha (Name Changed)        Class: III

 The situation: Manisha, 12, has been associated with Gyantantra Program, M.Thana Govt. School and is currently a student of class III. Earlier she is not friendly and doesn't face any difficulty getting along with others. She did not take much interest in his studies and hasn’t yet participated in any extracurricular activities because of her shyness and hesitance. She got only 10 % in pre-test and didn’t have basic knowledge in subjects.

 Background: Manisha belongs to Manoharthan town. His father is a daily wages labor and mother is house wife. She has three siblings and stay in a small accommodation.

 The change:  The digital program contains audio as well as video material on numerous topics subject wise. Now Manisha is enabled and has comprehensive understanding along with fun learning. She got 79 % and 72 % in periodic tests and she now knows course contains numerous topics such as days of the week, names of different months, parts of body in English, calculations and arithmetic in Mathematics, reading comprehensions in Hindi & English and general awareness on the importance of hygiene, harmful effects of smoking etc.  She is eager to cover everything at the earliest possible.

However, the teachers constantly encourage her as well as other students. This has helped her overcome her fear, and she now looks forward to participating in dance competitions etc.Manisha scored 10 marks in Pre-test out of 100 and he respectively scored 72 & 79  in consecutive periodic evaluation.

 Prashant (Name changed)  Class: V 

The situation:  Prashant is student of Govt. high school having 700 children and limited teachers only as usual in Govt. School insufficient resources. During enrolment as per Pre-Test, he was below average student. He hardly knew alphabets of Hindi or counting in Mathematics. His pre-test score was 18%.

 Background:  Prashant along with his family has migrated from a small village in Madhya Pradesh. They are now living in Jawar. His father here works as daily wage worker in break factory while mother is a house wife. Sagar realized his potential post the special attention he received in LI and was motivated to put in his best.

 The change: As a result, the monthly assessment conducted after the completion of each month, scored 62% and 69%. Now S Prashant not only knows about alphabets in Hindi but can also frame sentences. He has got a good grip in Mathematics too where he knows multiplication, subtraction, division. Maths is now his favorite subject and he is eager to solve its problems. In English as well, he has mastered days of the week, days of the month, parts of body and parts of face. His reading power is excellent. His knowledge has improved and he is continuing to do better which is a big reason of happiness for Prashant as well as his family. She is a fun loving, yet hard working boy. Besides academics he also enjoys participating in sports and extra-curricular activities. He aspires to be a teacher.  Prashant scored 18 marks in Pre-test out of 100 and he respectively scored 62 & 69 in consecutive periodic evaluation.

Links:

• Pilot to Champion for Children's Education: Story of Capt Indraa