OVERVIEW

The number of children, youth and adults not attending schools or educational institutions because of COVID-19 has spiked globally. In India alone, an estimated 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. Ensuring that their spirits are high and that they have opportunities for engagement and learning – is our first step to relief.

To enable this, we have launched a daily engagement activity titled Karona, Thodi Masti, Thodi Padhai (Do it: A little fun, a little study) that equips parents to continue their child's learning process even during school closure. Through a series of curated SMS and WhatsApp messages, we share text/video/audio content focused on hands-on learning activities. While the Masti videos engage students in art, music, and theatre, the Padhai ones focus on language, math, English and science learning. These messages are available 10 regional languages and English.

Every day, our field teams connect with children and families engaging them in fun-filled, project-based learning activities, and further strengthening our one-on-one connect at the grassroots.

UPDATES

So far, we have reached children in over 11,000 communities across 20 states in India through daily content.

The content is also being shared with more than 100 partners across the country and several collaborations are being explored across borders too!

We understand that these are difficult times, but we are striving to connect with children and communities by encouraging fun and sustained learning.

Here is a glimpse!

Aai, should I narrate you a story?

Gond Art for Earth Day

 

Since the lockdown in April, Pratham teams have reached out to more than 11,000 communities and more than 100,000 volunteers by sharing remote learning activities across 21 states in India. In our attempt to "stay in touch" with every child, Pratham teams have shared remote learning activities through both online and offline platforms with everyone from parents & volunteers in communities to school teachers and state governments.
In the Staying in Touch Report, we present to you highlights and key insights of the "Staying in Touch" activities from the period April to June 2020. The report covers the following sections:
  • Reach: Who did we reach and how?
  • Content: Highlights of Karona Thodi Masti Thodi Padhai activities sent through WhatsApp and activities sent through SMS
  • Insights: What did we learn from the both internal deep dive studies and external e-content surveys?

RESOURCES

You can access the video content on www.prathamopenschool.org

Please write to us at resources@pratham.org if you have any questions or suggestions