By Suraj Kumar | Project Manager
Since our last update, the world as a whole has faced very difficult circumstances. In India, where the Blossom Bus program operates, there is a strict lockdown in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Schools have remained closed since the second week of March due to the current COVID-19 crisis and subsequent lockdown.
Anticipating a long lockdown, the government of Haryana started online classes for all students in grades 1 through 12 beginning in the second week of April. Classes are being telecasted daily for two hours through TV channels. School teachers have also created WhatsApp groups and are able to support students when they need help. The school teachers have stated that classes are running smoothly and are being supervised by an education officer of the precinct where the Blossom Bus girls study. The education officer appreciated our contacting him and said that he is getting messages from students even late at night and answering them with pleasure and pride.
While these remote classes are far from perfect under the difficult circumstances of the current lockdown, we are happy to know the children's studies are continuing and that teachers are committed to these new ways of learning. We are reminded of the old saying "necessity is the mother of invention" as now, out of necessity, even in the rural villages of India, technology can be used and online education is possible. We thank the government of Haryana for this initiative on behalf of students and we hope and pray things will get back to normal as soon as possible.
During the 2019-2020 academic year, 650 girls from 37 rural villages in Mewat, Haryana were able to achieve an average of 90% attendance due to Lotus Outreach’s Blossom Bus program. There has been significant increases in the number of girls attending the seven high schools served by Blossom Bus. We take heart in witnessing the visible impact of the program for these students.
Thank you for supporting access to education today and every day.
By Glenn Fawcett | Executive Director, Lotus Outreach
By Suraj Kumar | Project Manager, India
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