Classes at school begin
While online classes for students of BCT Residential school were being conducted via YouTube, classes for students of 9th and 10th began at the school premises from September 21. As permissions for opening the hostels for students has not yet been granted, only students from nearby villages, staying close to the school are able to come. After attending classes, these students head back to their homes. All precautions are being taken by students and staff at the school premises, and children are allowed into classes after their temperatures are checked. Also, they are being made to sit at a distance from each other, and masks have been made compulsory.
Phone donation campaign
With school safety aspects and learning in place, there are still many students who are unable to attend classes, as they stay far from the campus. Many of them do not have smartphones to be able to join the online classes too. While doubts are being cleared for them via phones at a timing convenient to them, the need for providing online access to such students is being felt.
A phone donation campaign was thus held with the support of the young team from Trendsetters Charitable Trust. A few phones, tablet and some laptops have been collected through this mode. These will now be checked, repaired, formatted and sent to the most needy students, especially from 9th and 10th grades.
Life hasn’t been the same since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, and rural areas have been badly affected as well. With schools shut down in rural Visakhapatnam, our school children have been at their homes as well. And while they’re safe from Covid-19 as we speak, the future is as unsure, as for everyone else. As plenty of city based schools are looking at online teaching methodologies, adapting them for rural Andhra is posing its set of challenges. Low connectivity and lack of smartphones, make it difficult for us to keep in touch with all the students. However our teachers are doing their best in checking with children about their welfare and communicating about health and safety measures.
Till a week ago, our students were also preparing for the Xth state board examinations. Support during lockdown was offered to them through Whatsapp groups and phone calls. Even the relatively technology unsavvy teachers, quickly adapted to this change, so they could reach out to the maximum number of students. The board exams now stand cancelled, as all students have been promoted, owing to the rising number of cases.
As Covid-19 spreads stealthily, looking after health poses a major challenge. Education, and how we take the classes for other students forward, is a question that only time will answer. While the state government did provide support to students through classes on TV, we hope that relevant solutions will present themselves, soon.
The 71st Republic Day was celebrated at the BCT Residential High School in a grand manner. Putting their immense creativity and skill on display, the school students decorated the stage and the surroundings in National colours. BCT Secretary, B. Sri Ram Murthy presided as the Chief Guest and hoisted the flag. He then addressed the students and the gathering. School principal Smt Renuka and Joint Secretary Somayajulu spoke on the importance of Republic Day. Three of the studentss have come forward to talk about the Republic Day in Telugu, Hindi and English. Followed by a cultural show, the students have put forth their talents in singing and dancing. With games, sports and events conducted prior to the Republc Day, the winners were announced and prizes were distributed. The children presented a skit on "Say no to Plastic". With such occassions, students get to learn about the importance of Indian Republic.
Global Hand-washing Day was organized by BCT at Primary, Upper Primary and High Schools in 22 villages across 6 mandals of Visakhapatnam district.
The event that was held on October 15, featured a hand-washing demo and students were told about the importance of personal hygiene and clean surroundings.
They were told that 80% of diseases can be avoided by consuming safe drinking water, stopping water stagnation, proper treatment of solid waste, arresting open defecation and washing hands at critical times. The students were also motivated to not only inculcate these habits but also share the learnings with their parents and families.
A rally was held with students from each of the villages as well. The program was attended by Secretary Sri B Sri Ram Murty, Joint Secretary Sri N Somayajulu, and Community Coordinator Mrs. K Prabhavati. Community Organizers, Villagers and Common Action Group members participated in this event along with the students. Slogans like ‘Clean hands, healthy life’, ‘Your health is in your hands’, ‘Chetulu Subram, Aarogyam Bhadram’ (health is protected with clean hands) were raised at the villages during the rally.
Following this, a small get together was organized at school premises. The event was also held at the BCT Residential High School. ANM's and Asha workers gave demonstrations on handwashing, while the school staff and students participated enthusiastically.
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