A school on the foot path

It seems strange when we hear about schools on the footpaths; but there are some schools running successfully this way, educating the kids of poor families. One such school is ‘Alpha school’, located near Jubilee Hills. The school caters to the underprivileged children with primary school education for free of cost. Parents of these children work as maids in the nearby bungalows and some work as laborers at construction sites.

The school has no pucca roof but a small shed on the footpath to shelter the kids from sun and rain.

The school emerged from the thought of a woman, Ms.Shoba Rani. The school is running successfully with good number of students and teachers for 12 long years.

An age old saying, “Helping hands are better than praying lips”; truly implemented by Ms.Shoba Rani. Daily we pass by so many kids on the roadside, feel pity for them or blame the government, but hardly think of any instant solution. This is a live example to solve things in possible ways…  

Invigilation duty

I have got a chance to invigilate annual examinations for high school. The most boring job in the world is invigilation. It’s a big pain in the knees, neck and eyes- we need to stand and roam around the exam hall continuously for 2 and a half hours; keep eye on every student and turn both directions frequently. I have been seeing this stereotypical practice since my childhood.

Its physical science exam, pupils are literally bewildered at questions given in the paper.

Absolute silence in the school can be seen only during exams!

Discussing the questions with their peers, in front of a hawk eye invigilator! 

Exam Season

February, March and April are peak months for educational institutions in a country like India. Students, teachers, institutions from secondary to university level will gear up in preparing for the final assessments. The litmus test is not only for students but also for teachers and institutions.

Practical exams:

From junior to senior intermediate and under graduates to post graduates have to undergo practical exams before they appear for final exams. Usually these practical exams will be held in mid-February. Whereas, schools don’t have such kind of exams since practical exams are not required for elementary level- a written assessment as a  final exam is the mandate, though it has many loopholes.

Pre-finals:

Prior to the final exams the students have to undergo some mock tests which are named ‘pre-finals’. It is a compulsory exam which is held in the school campus itself. These exams are about pupils practicing the model test papers, revising the things learnt and removing the fear of exams.

However, it has some drawbacks as well- many schools finish their syllabi before the New Year and conduct as many as five to six mock tests. Pupils get fed up writing the exams continuously for two months and as a result they develop an apathy towards exams.  Also, students complain that they waste their precious time in appearing for mock exams which could be utilized in preparation for the finals. 

The identification:

Hall-ticket:

A piece of paper with an 8 to 10 digit unique number will be issued to every student who are going to write the public exams. The exam venue will be printed on those tickets usually.

Exam center:

Pupils will be waiting for the hall-ticket to check their exam centers, wishing their exam centers would be near to their locality in order to minimize travel time.

On the other hand, some students with a disposition towards cheating will calculate the probability of malpractice in the exam depending upon the exam centers. It’s a bitter fact that some exam centers are famous for such malpractices, where the invigilators themselves supply answers to the students.

Need of the hour is change in exam pattern, and assure 100% transparency in invigilation. 

From the EFF team, we wish good luck to all the students appearing for their Public Exams…! 

Walkathon

A recent survey unveiled that there are around 793 million adult illiterates in the world- mostly from third world countries. Out of which, two thirds are women[Source: Wikipedia]. According to 2011 census, Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) stands 24^th in literacy ranking out of 28 states in India. It’s a huge 7% difference compared to the national’s 74.04%. A.P.’s government has come up with many programs to eradicate illiteracy; however the progress is languishing at a snail’s pace.

We, the EFF team initiated an event-Walkathon, supported by PurpleTalk Inc, with a cause: ‘EDUCATE A CHILD’. The walk was about appealing to people of the nation to educate a child as a contribution to society. Here ‘educating’ doesn’t mean we have to go to a class and teach; there are so many ways to volunteer towards eradicating illiteracy from the nation, such as–          

·         Sponsor a child’s education.
·         Adopt a classroom.
·         Counsel parents of the drop outs.
·         Organize education awareness programs in slums/rural areas.
·         People passionate about teaching can teach students remotely using technology.
·         Visit a school nearby to figure out their problems.

Along with EFF one more NGO joined the event, it is ‘MAD’ (Make a Difference) which is working towards empowering underprivileged children through education.

Details of the event:

Date: 25-Jan-2013

Time: 4pm onwards

Venue: KBR Park, Banjara Hills, Hyderad

Pamphlet

Snaps from the event: 

In front of KBR Park

Giving a brief explanation about EFF and MAD

Volunteers cheering J

Busy bees take out time to join the walk!

And that was a never ending line; people were joining in at every corner of the walk!

Distributing the pamphlets to passersby

No one can stop us!

And that was a fantastic evening, with pleasant climate!

Everyone had a lot of fun along with the walk! 

Read India

What do you present a kid on his/her birthday? A doll, a playing kit, an automated toy etc. If you ask me, I would definitely suggest books as the best option to gift. Indeed, the competitions or quizzes we organize on behalf of EFF, we prefer to gift books rather than items or trophies since we have observed pupils in the rural as well as in urban areas are largely unable to afford books apart from those prescribed in their academic courses.

Reading is the best way to acquire a language. Students from underprivileged and middle classes in our country are distributed free text books by the government of India. Therefore, they have access to their text books. We have many students in the nation who crave to read more. Unfortunately, many schools have no libraries and those which do have them lack good collections of attractive books. On the other hand, modernization and access to information on the internet has adversely affected the importance of libraries both in rural and urban areas. Then how can we quench the thirst of reading in students belong to economically backward classes?

 To develop reading skills in students a NGO named ‘Pratham books’ has come forward with a noble cause – ‘a book in every child’s hand’.

About Pratham Books:

At Pratham Books, we believe that every child has the right to enjoy good books.  And we believe they should have stories set in surroundings familiar to them and in a language close to their culture. We believe that to make books accessible to every child, the price points have to be very low. Pratham Books is a brand of story books as Indian as the children who read them. As a not-for-profit publisher, our dream is to see a country where every child wants to read, is able to read, and has something good to read.

Click here for more info - 

some cover pages of the online books

Thank you Pratham Books : )

We EFF team are grateful to Pratham books, who gave us access to their online titles. The books are nicely designed with attractive illustrations that will appeal to any age group. Simple language, fewer lines in paragraphs, good story line and great quality slides which draw the students interest. Currently, we’re using online story slides converting it to ppt to show in the virtual classroom. Vernacular medium students found it very easy to read with fascinating pictures. The stories depict the typical Indian family background and culture. 

Eenadu: Press release

It’s for the second time that Eenadu covered Education For Free; the article had been released on 29^th July’12, in RR district edition.  The post is in regard to the virtual teaching at ZPHS, Gandeed, with feedback from a  few students.

Here is the paper cutting of the edition – 

For those who are not able to read Telugu, here is the translation of the article…courtesy - Sudha teacher J

Online Education…students’ reception..!

Every year there is a substantial increase in the number of students joining private schools. Government schools are struggling to retain their students. Even though they have implemented a particular program named “success” which was introduced to improve their language skills, especially English. It has started two years ago but the students could not get acquainted to it. In such situation a private organization has thought it essential and came up with dedication to provide online teaching system for the schools.

 

      In the year 2008 in Hyderabad, a city-based Software Company named “PurpleTalk Inc” collaborated with Masab tank Red Cross Government Girls High School and established this unique system of online teaching. Since last 4 years from that particular school, students were imparted language skills and vocabulary which provided great results. Presently the management is planning to introduce this online teaching to government schools in rural areas and reach out to the underprivileged children. Mr. Sridhar Muppidi (founder) of PurpleTalk Inc, Mr.Rama Krishna, Mr. Hari, Mr. Sateesh,  Mr. Neelakanta and Mr. Suresh, Mr. Bhanu have worked hard together to develop this software without any help from other networks. They have used the latest technology to make this program a success. They have selected a locality which is 130 kms away from Hyderabad city, viz, Gandeed and spent more than a lakh to arrange a big screen, video projector, Internet, camera and audio system.

        From 11^th 29th October 2011, the higher standard classes are directly reached through video conference online teaching. The students interact with teachers through bi-directional video and audio. There will be approx 2 to 3 sessions per day based on the convenience of the students. Apart from concentrating in English, they are bringing importance for subjects like math and other subjects too, with ample examples and videos. Every month exams are conducted to test the knowledge and understanding of the students. Recently the volunteers of the company has renovated a few rooms in the school, which was in a damaged condition, in order to continue classes.     

Response of the students about online education:

Rajesh – 8^th standard

                       “I lost the fear of English”

I have joined the “Success school” which was a Telugu medium, when the management has introduced English medium, I found it very difficult to cope up with the teachings in English, gradually the new method of teaching through video conference interested and encouraged me to continue studying in English medium without any fear. I have improved my language skills, vocabulary and grammar too. And moreover I am gaining knowledge in lot of other subjects through this online system of education…!    

 Sravani – 7^th Standard

                  “Better than the usual classes”

 The power point teachings (visual displays) through this success school has helped me in grasping knowledge on various subjects such as language, communication skills and English because the online teaching has attracted us, which is different from other regular teachings. The teachers repeat the lessons until we are thorough with the topic- by this method of online teaching we have learnt to use the English language fluently.

Ambica-Teacher:

 It is our purpose to develop the language skills and to boost the talents of the students, particularly children belonging to downtrodden and underprivileged sections living in villages. Our determination in providing well qualified faculty to train these children through this online teaching program have reached many students. Thus far, it is an encouragement for those people, especially teachers who are basically service oriented, to achieve satisfaction by getting acquainted to this environment of online teaching program.

A Visit to remember: Lessons and memories created

EFF team visits its rural schools once in three months to check the progress of the students. The trip is arranged with some volunteers on 24th Nov'12. PurpleTalk employees - Sheik Khaleel Babu, Mr.Siva Sankar and Mallesh volunteered; travelled with us more than 270 Km. We spent the whole day with students and shared their views & suggestions. 

Volunteers turned teachers

For some time the volunteers turned teachers-conducted classroom games and activities, which gave them a welcome break from their routine lives. To be a teacher is not an easy job, as people think; in fact it needs a lot of ground work to be called a good teacher. Pupils watch our movements and gauge how well we are able to connect with them emotionally-What we wear, what we speak, our body language, our behavior-everything counts. Pupils imitate teachers, so care should be taken by the teachers that there is no flaw in presenting themselves in front of the children.

Mr.Khaleel, giving a small speech –“pursue your studies with love but not as a duty”. Occasionally, words we spell out are so touching and inspiring unknowingly. 

Mr.Siva Sankar, interacting with eighth standard students

EFF teacher, Sudha, conducting classroom games

And that’s me, with sixth standard students. They were so cute and lovable, that I couldn't leave the class.

Mallesh turned cameraman clicking snaps of us J

Progress

Coming to the actual progress of the students through virtual classroom teaching- the students of vernacular medium did not make much progress in speaking English. On the other hand, English medium students of high school are much better. They've made a lot of improvement. The main goal of virtual classroom teaching is to make them focus not just on studies but also, on social issues, environment problems, current affairs, intelligence, general knowledge etc. The visit enlightened us in some areas to work on, mainly the method of teaching for vernacular medium with different lesson plans.

 It’s a known fact that students from a rural background are not as outgoing as urban folks. Though they have talent, they just keep quite owing to fear and dare not disclose their talent in front of everybody. We are trying to introduce them to the pleasures of being liberal in thought and speech. 

Prizes for the winners

The visit had one more purpose, to distribute the prizes for GK quiz winners, conducted on the occasion of Children’s day. The competition was held between two schools- ZPHS Boys’ and ZPHS Girls’ schools of Gandeed village and Mandal.

At last we thanked the school managements for giving us warm welcome and coordinating with us in taking sessions with the children. Grateful to the volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules for EFF.

The soul is healed by being with children – an English proverb

Children are akin to buds sprouting from branches. When they blossom into flowers, their scent and colours will help us enjoy the entire world-Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Well said by the first prime minister of India...as an honour we celebrate his [Nehru’s] birthday as Children’s day. He was fond of children and was known as ‘chacha’ (Uncle) Nehru among them. 

On 14^th November we celebrate Children’s day in every school throughout India. Children’s day was one of the favourite celebrations in my school life. Teachers used to entertain us in many ways, they used to dance, sing, play skits etc. Hilarious TV ad ‘all-out’ was released in those days, where the machine eats away all the mosquitoes like a frog. We rolled on the floor laughing when our strict Hindi teacher acted like ‘all-out’ machine eating all the mosquitoes. That was really unforgettable. School memories rejuvenate us all the time. 

Children's day celebrations @Red cross Government Girls’ High school, Hyderabad.

On the event of children’s day, Lions Club organized some competitions and distributed prizes to the winners.

The cute little angels from primary-performing a dance in front of the chief guests

A devotional song, performed by high school students.

They are upper primary students, was performing ‘Pankida’ dance with sticks. Though they are too small to handle the sticks, their coordination and timing was impeccable throughout the song. I must learn from them for next Navarathri ; -)

Fancy dress competition: A traditional Kashmiri girl

 Miss Goa

Gujrathi girls

The day concluded with refreshments. 

Innovative way of sourcing urban things to rural folks...

Clothing is one of the basic necessities for our social survival. Buying clothes is imperative on occasions as well as out of need. An average income earner buys clothes three or four times a year. Gross 60% of the population in a country like India buys clothes twice a year, and 20% buy just once. It is during festivals like Diwali, Dussehra or EID that they buy clothes. A corporate employee buys clothes every fortnight or less (a survey revealed) mainly on weekends. Approximately, he/she will buy at least or minimum 24 pairs a year. That’s no comparison with a common person or a daily wage earner. So where do these clothes go? Closets or cupboards and stay there long after the user moves on to newer clothes, rendering them useless.

During one of my visits to ‘Seva Mela’ (an exhibition showcasing various NGOs in the city) last year, I encountered an interesting NGO named ‘Goonj’. It is a Delhi-based organization, which works towards eradicating various issues.

 About Goonj - 

Goonj is providing clothes & other basic amenities to millions in the far-flung villages by turning urban wastage into resourceful supply for rural India. Every month, over 80 tones of material reaches various parts of the 21 states of India through a nationwide network of over 250 grassroot organizations, panchayats, Ashoka Fellows & social activists. 

You can contribute: old/new clothes (washed), woolens, blankets, utensils, footwear (in pairs), dry ration, sewing machines, umbrellas, school material, books, bicycle, spectacles, toys, newspapers, magazines, used papers (only one face utilized) and money.

The clothes people donate to Goonj are given to the rural and economically backward populace. But they don’t give it for free, they are given as a reward to rural/slum communities who come together to undertake various development activities such as road repair, well digging, pond cleaning, constructing bamboo bridges, plantations etc. That sounds really dignified isn’t it! Things which are easily grabbed are not valued, unless some sort of worth is imparted to it.

After sorting, the unwearable /unusable materials are used to create employment by converting them into more than 35 different products.

 Bags and backpacks made out of jeans.

Strong pencil pouches for students made out of jeans.

Mobile pouches made from reels of audio/video cassettes, a good handicraft work.

'Shaadi ka Joda' (bridal wear)

Goonj, supplies ‘Shaadi ka Joda’ (bridal wear) for orphan couples without any rent. I was astonished to see that they donate four to five dresses to both brides and grooms to perform the wedding rituals; after all, it’s everyone’s dream to make his/her wedding an occasion to be remembered for life...

Donation drive in the office

To support Goonj, and as a part of “Joy of giving week” we organized a donation drive in the office. Placed huge cartons in our reception; within a period of one week we collected a pile of things, that’s really a great response! I thank all my Purpletalk* colleagues for contributing towards a noble cause.  Especially, I appreciate Sachindra Pandey, a senior software engineer at Purpletalk, who initiated this drive.  The collection includes – clothes, books, bags, shoes, electronic playing kits, stationary items, and monetary contribution as well.

That’s a car full of things we received from the collection. Cheers to all J

Milestone in the schooling segment – the Tenth std.

‘SSC’ the other name of Tenth std. in A.P., India

Schooling is an important phase in an individual’s life. You can play, enjoy, and have fun along with studies in this period. However, things are not the same always; you have to really slog it out towards the end of the segment, viz in tenth std.  “Tenth std (SSC) is the turning point in your life, you have to cut down on your recreations and devote 100% time to studies.”, say parents in a strict tone. At school, SSC students don’t have games/pt period. They won’t take part in cultural activities; “if they participate in all the cultural programmes like dance, drama/skit, singing etc, their precious time will be wasted, so, it’s better to curb all entertainment for SSC students”, assert the teachers.  Some crazy parents challenge the tutor – sir, if you make my child score at least 85%, I will reward you with 10k bucks. “It’s a prestigious issue, my daughter and my colleague’s daughter are in tenth standard; if my child gets a low score, how can I show my face to her?” says a working mother. “Do or die, you must score above 90% in the final exams otherwise it’s really difficult to get admission in a good senior secondary school”, says a middle class father.

Private schools progression -

Some or many private schools have moved a step forward – in the ninth standard itself they start teaching tenth std. syllabus. Actually, in the ninth standard, the academic year is somewhat like this – the first 4 months they will teach the 9^th std syllabus (term end exams are omitted or skipped), then remaining year they are taught tenth std syllabus. They almost finish teaching the syllabus of tenth in the 9^th standard itself. So, the question is, what do they do in the tenth standard? Here, is an interesting answer – in the entire academic year (10th standard) they’ll be revising the entire syllabus at least four times. Conduct so many tests, term-end exams, mock board exams etc. It’s all fair in the race for grades in this competitive generation- ascertain the [corporate] school managements.

But, 9th standard syllabi has plenty of aspects which are useful to students in higher standards. Omission of these topics lead them to suffer later for the lack of knowledge. It’s nothing but a gamble on the students’ future in favor of just one exam (SSC)

The Board Exam

Tenth std students have to appear for board exams in the month of March every year. Though the government has been planning to change the exam system for more than a decade, we hardly see any changes in it. There is tight security in the exam halls with ample invigilators; however, malpractice cases are on the high every year. It’s a known bitter fact, that due to pressure from parents and teachers, certain number of tenth std students are ending their lives after failing to reach their parents’ assigned targets. It is not unusual to hear reports of  suicides the very next day after the declaration of results.

I wonder, is SSC that tough, to sacrifice all the happiest moments of our beautiful childhood...? Well, this is the scene in almost all the schools in A.P.  No limits to expectations. Parents, teachers and students, everyone wants scores, grades; this rat race is making the child an entity rather than a citizen. The need of the hour is to change the exam system, syllabus and approach to teaching as well.