Enhancing Community Action to Address Learning gap due to Pandemic

Human civilization has been passing a very crucial time. Almost all aspects of normal life in society across the world have been affected due to the current pandemic situation. The economic crisis among common people, particularly in remote areas in India is rapidly increasing. Educational institutions are remaining closed for a longer period. In such a situation, students from the marginalized sections are critically affected. Huge gaps in learning level have already happened among a major section of students in almost all areas. Society, particularly in rural areas has lost hopes about the future of education. The younger generation of every society is moving towards an uncertain future.

Like others parts of the country, in rural and remote parts of Assam too, the situation becomes similarly grieving and critical.  After short intervals, social life is again moving in an unknown direction.

In such a situation, there is a dire need to initiate and enhance area-specific community action to address issues related to the current education crisis among children from the marginalized section. With an aim to bridge learning gaps and minimize losses among students, Gramya Vikash Mancha has been planning to initiate a comprehensive initiative, targeting 15000 children from the most vulnerable families in rural Assam.

The initiative is proposed to implement in 150 nos most vulnerable villages under Nalbari, Kamrup (Rural), Baksa and Barpeta District of Assam. Total 15000 Children (from Class 3 to Class 10) from marginalised families will be targeted to cover within a period of 3 years.

GVM is planning to initiate the following actions: 

• Prepare a village-level community action plan focusing on issues of child education and provide support for enhancing community-led action to address issues.
• Empower 500 education volunteers in 150 villages to support children in enhancing learning competency
• Empower 500 Teachers from Govt. schools to enhance educational support as well as to enhance 21st-century skills among children
• Organize remedial class/session ensuring Covid protocol, targeting 15000 children (from Class 3 to Class 10) from 150 Village
• Organize online session /interaction programme
• Provide worksheet for promoting self-learning
• Support for establishment and promote digital learning hub in 50 Govt. schools
• Organize counseling session among children
• Promote library in every village.

Through the proposed intervention, it is expected that:

• Community, particularly mothers in each village are mobilized in a common platform and community-led action, based on the community action plan, initiated to address issues related to child education, emerging due to pandemic
• Five hundred Education volunteers emerged and are actively supporting children for reducing learning gaps
• Five hundred teachers are actively supporting children through online as well as an offline mode for bridging covid induced gaps and enhancing 21st-century skill
• Age-appropriate learning competency ensured among 15000 children
• Fifty nos digital learning hub established in schools and children are successfully accessing knowledge and skill 
• A silent movement reading books started in every village and Children in each village are accessing knowledge, skill and values through using books of the library,
• Children are accessing support for reducing mental distress, ensuring quality mental health