Transform lives of 25 poor rural children in India

PYDS adapted swiftly to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the enforcement of the lockdown, schools all over the country started conducting online classes in the best manner possible. It took our efforts, which began on April 12, some time to gain traction as our children have virtually no access to computers and internet at their homes. In order to facilitate remote teaching, our teachers took up the challenge of reaching the students with the help of mobile phones. Even though teachers encountered daunting challenges with this as well they and the students rose to the occasion and succeeded in carrying on the learning/teaching process remotely in the best possible way. A timetable for remote teaching was specially designed and lesson plans realigned. Learning was imparted using resources like videos, worksheets, virtual flowcharts, URLs, YouTube videos etc.

The lockdown helped elicit the hidden potential, talents and creativity of both our teachers and students. There has been a lot of reflection and experimentation by both, to devise such ways and means of learning/teaching processes that could leave an enduring impression on our students.

LEARNINGS

The lockdown helped elicit the hidden potential, talents and creativity of both our teachers and students. There has been a lot of reflection and experimentation by both, helping to devise newer methods of learning/teaching processes that will leave an enduring impression on our students.

TEACHERS

1. Teachers have acknowledged that apart from the conventional ‘chalk and talk’ method of teaching, there are methods which transfer the control of teaching from teachers to students, thus promoting lifelong learning. They have incorporated some of these methods and are determined to continue using them once the school reopens.

 2. Teachers got a chance to interact with students on a one-on-one basis. They discovered that each student is unique and has a different way of learning. Equipped with different teaching methods, they are now aware that there is sufficient scope to address these by using customized teaching methods in parallel.

 3. Encouraged by the above, teachers have also learnt that it is imperative to keep modifying and upgrading their lesson plans. While using different teaching methods, there have been ‘eureka’ moments which they immediately captured in their lesson plans, improving their quality of teaching-learning.

 4. Teachers have become proficient in utilizing modern technology. Earlier they used to utilize it only for general purposes like data entry, preparing lesson plans and question banks. Now they are using technology as an active pedagogical tool and to procure learning resources.

 5. Intra-department teamwork was present and has now extended to inter-department teamwork. Teachers have shared their best practices and guided each other to overcome their common challenges.

STUDENTS

1. Students have become self-reliant and independent learners. They carry out self-study through research and experiment. This has also led them to extended learning and become aware of the value of an inter-disciplinary approach to education. This novel approach is being supported and encouraged by their teachers.

2. The above learning has ignited their higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) which, in due course of time, will enable them to apply the knowledge gained to real-life situations.

3. Since our students have limited access to the digital world and other similar tools of learning, their young minds have devised ways and means to overcome this limitation, thus honing their problem-solving skills.

4. Learnings from 3 above have led to a lot of team-work and sharing of best practices among students.

Climbing Learning Ladders

For students who are not academically inclined, we take them in our National Institute of Open Schooling(NIOS) Department/Vocational Education Program, where the focus is to develop their inherent skillset for a suitable career in future. Amidst the lockdown, several of our students have enhanced their talents and used them for the betterment of their surroundings.

Anjali helped her family to build a kitchen using brick and cement. Here is a link that shows the final result of her hard work. We, at PYDS, guide students to be empathetic towards others and come up with new ideas in order to lend them a helping hand.

Following her passion, Shweta, an avid reader has been tutoring the little minds in her neighbourhood since the past 3 months. She makes use of the teaching techniques practised such as ‘Think, Pair, Share’ and uses her earnings from these classes in buying more books of her choice. Her quest seems endless. Attached below is the picture catching a glimpse of her tuition.

With the aim to brush up the writing skills of our students amidst the lockdown where most of the study is being done through audio and video calls and writing has taken a backseat, we conducted both, English and Hindi Writing Competitions for classes IV to XII. Here is a link, showing a few of the narrations written by students. The competition helped them restore their writing habits as well as encouraged them to open up their minds to pen down unheard and unique write-ups.

Our main target is to make these students capable enough to lead a life of their dreams. We achieve this by analyzing each student’s strengths and building upon them.

Our Young Tinkers

• Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) is an initiative of the Central Government of India to create an environment of scientific temperament, innovation and creativity amongst the country’s Students. We have a fully equipped laboratory set up under the Scheme and the activities undertaken there are incorporated it in our overall learning program. We would like to share a few of the models that our bright minds have created over the past month.
• Tinkers take COVID-19 Challenge - This crisis has given an opportunity to our children to learn new skills, develop compassion and resilience while working to build a safer and more caring community. Their submissions give us hope for a Covid-19 free world in the near future. i- Protective Face Shield Foot Operated Hand Sanitizer Dispenser – designed by Dev of class 8(A) using PVC pipe. ii-Protective Face Shield by Simran and Manas from class 8(B) using waste materials, here is a link to it.
• Amaan, of class IX, has designed and prepared a Wooden Foot Operated Handwash Dispenser. With COVID – 19 spreading such dispensers are the need of the hour. They will aid in eliminating common contact points through which the virus can be transferred. Here is a link demonstrating steps taken by Amaan to make the dispenser.
• Ayushi, of class IX, has built Running Toy Horse using a syringe and cardboard. The toy-horse uses the principles of fluid pressure (hydraulics). It was part of a school project assigned to her. Here is a link that shows Ayushi explaining the concepts of fluid pressure and how she used them to make her model.

We emphasise the practical application of the theories learnt in classrooms so that students can grasp the actual utility of concepts rather than just memorising them. The resources and tools in our Tinkering Lab are a result of the generous donations given to us by several philanthropists over the years. We hope to add to them in the future with your support.

Collecting Flags of Achievements

• NITI Aayog has acknowledged our tinkering efforts by recognising PYDS Learning Academy as the Atal Innovation Mission (ATL) of the month in Uttarakhand for May. Here is the link, which provides the list of all the ATLs of the month for May. We extend our gratitude to NITI Aayog on behalf of the whole PYDS team.
• Our ex-student, Unnati, who is currently studying at Ashoka University, has started interning in “Unearth and Empower Communities”. It is a non-profit organisation focussing on literacy, arts, mentorship and entrepreneurship for the youth ages 4-23. She has shared her lively experience with us. Here is a link showing a video made by her at the organisation.
• Radhika, a student of class 9 made cloth face masks. She has given out these face masks to her family members and neighbours to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Her voluntary service has been appreciated by the International Award for Young People (IAYP) in their weekly newsletter.
• On 23^rd April, our very own Tabla performer, Saurabh participated in YAYAVAR’s On-line Literary Festival. His recital was played during the opening ceremony of the fest, here is the link to it.

We feel proud to raise students which fulfil the ultimate mission of our organisation: grow the underprivileged children of Uttarakhand into sensitive, healthy, intelligent and contributing members of society.

We thank you for the wonderful support that you are providing to our cause.