THE SITUATION TODAY
The number of children, youth and adults not attending schools or educational institutions because of COVID-19 has been rising across the world. In India alone, it is estimated that more than 300 million learners across all age groups are out of “school” right now.
Though temporary, school closures have a significant impact on students, even more so in vulnerable and underprivileged contexts. Fear about health, disruption in livelihoods and stoppage of normal life – all lead to anxiety in families and communities. Children are not immune to tensions around them. In these times, it is important to engage children in activities that bring down stress, take minds off the crisis and gradually create an environment where learning can continue.
PRATHAM’S RESPONSE
In the last twenty five years, Pratham has worked on scale with children across the country on a range of educational interventions and in a variety of learning contexts. In these difficult times, Pratham is working to provide children across the country access to engaging learning content. Currently we have 3000 videos, 300 games and 3 learning applications across 11 regional languages.
Children want to learn, play and have fun. Ensuring that their spirits are high, they have opportunities for engagement and learning in the process – is our first step to relief. We are initiating an endeavour that can equip parents, family members and communities to make this happen.
Pratham’s Digital content has been created for three domains – preparation for school, preparation for life and preparation for work. There is something for everyone, from age 3 to 18+. These resources have been created to encourage groups and individuals to do activities and projects by themselves.
All these resources are available for free and can be accessed by downloading the PraDigi App or visiting our website prathamopenschool.org. Videos have been made available on Pratham Open School YouTube channels as well.
Pratham is also launching a daily engagement activity with parents and children through Whatsapp. These curated WhatsApp messages can be shared widely. Called Karona, Thodi Masti. Thodi Padhai, these messages have video/audio content focused on hands-on learning activities. While the Masti videos will engage students in art, music, and theatre, the Padhai ones will focus on math, English and science learning. These messages will be available in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Odiya and Assamese.
Feel free to register here to know more!
Our digital content is also available on the National Teacher Training Platform (Diksha) which can be accessed by government teachers and school authorities and has been uploaded on a variety of distance learning portals (EAA, Kolibri). Pratham is also translating videos created by World Health Organization and other organizations into multiple regional languages to spread awareness in rural and remote communities.
These are difficult times, but we are striving to connect to children and communities and to strengthen communication, encourage fun and sustain learning.
For more information, contact us at digital@pratham.org