<div dir="ltr">Yes it can - the school indeed can play the role. We saw the same thing in Bihar - children were all playing in groups even inside the school premises. And teachers were also present because they had orders to be present in the school and fill all the forms. But they were not supposed to 'teach' - they even said that there could be departmental inquiries and punishments if they teach and someone reports! It's all absurd to say the least.<div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 10:47 AM Jean Dreze <<a href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net">jaandaraz@riseup.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>
<p>Can't a school become a springboard for Covid prevention (e.g.
by teaching children how to take precautions)? That would resolve
the dilemma.</p>
<p>When we pointed out that children in the villages are milling
around in groups anyway, he said something to the effect that "if
they do that, at least it's not the government's fault"...<br>
</p>
<div>On 24-08-2021 10:12, Jyotsna Jha wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">Thanks Jean for sharing the details of the meeting.
Even if he may have sounded non-committal, this would hopefully
remain with him, and it may play a role. Similarly, Rishi's note
also may find a place in their scheme of things - one can always
hope. Meeting with the CM is indeed a good idea as he seems to
be more responsive than many others.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>But this issue of health versus education is something that
all governments seem to be struggling with. They don't want to
err on the health side simply because that is an immediate
issue and will make news. They are just not able to see the
catastrophic nature of the losses in education despite being
somewhat aware of the reality. I guess that is our challenge. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Regards,</div>
<div>Jyotsna</div>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 9:56
AM Rishikesh <<a href="mailto:rishikesh@apu.edu.in" target="_blank">rishikesh@apu.edu.in</a>> wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div lang="EN-US">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Good to note that at least the
meeting took place and was not as bad as you expected it
to be. Thanks for the update Jean – looks like ‘we are
still going to be in the tunnel for some more time’ if
we don’t do more. I think it will be a good idea to meet
the CM as well. I think, both the bureaucrats and the
pol. reps, have to be influenced to ensure that they
act.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know all of you at Jharkhand will
be pushing hard on this issue with further data that you
are collecting. Best wishes & let us know if we can
help in any way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Meanwhile, please find attached a
document that illustrates how </b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">Grade</span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.65pt"> </span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">4 Hindi syllabus,</span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.65pt"> </span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">based</span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.65pt"> </span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">on</span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.6pt"> </span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">the</span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.65pt"> </span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">Rimjhim</span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.65pt"> </span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">textbook</span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.65pt"> </span></b><b><span style="letter-spacing:-0.05pt">(NCERT), and Grade 6
Science syllabus could be re-cast by prioritizing
LOs.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Warm regards,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">rishi</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Research <<a href="mailto:research-bounces@educationemergency.net" target="_blank">research-bounces@educationemergency.net</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jean Dreze<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 24, 2021 7:06 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Guru <a href="mailto:Guru@ITforChange.net" target="_blank"><Guru@ITforChange.net></a>;
Jyotsna Jha <<a href="mailto:jyotsna@cbps.in" target="_blank">jyotsna@cbps.in</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Mythili Ram <<a href="mailto:mythiliramchand@gmail.com" target="_blank">mythiliramchand@gmail.com</a>>;
<a href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net" target="_blank">research@educationemergency.net</a>;
venita kaul <<a href="mailto:vkaul54@gmail.com" target="_blank">vkaul54@gmail.com</a>>;
Sriranjani Ranganathan <<a href="mailto:sriranjani.ranganathan@gmail.com" target="_blank">sriranjani.ranganathan@gmail.com</a>>;
Manisha Priyam <<a href="mailto:priyam.manisha@gmail.com" target="_blank">priyam.manisha@gmail.com</a>>;
Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya <<a href="mailto:aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com" target="_blank">aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Research] Meeting with
Jharkhand Education Secretary</p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p>The meeting was so-so - not great overall, but not as
bad as I expected.</p>
<p>On the positive side, the secretary was cordial,
sympathetic, gave us a lot of time, and was aware of the
gravity of the situation. I think that his heart at
least is on our side. But it sounds like there is a lot
of opposition to reopening of schools from various
quarters, including certainly the health department, and
other quarters also that he did not specify. So no
specific plan as of now though he said that "there may
be some good news by the end of the week" as we
departed.</p>
<p>Also, it doesn't sound like any serious preparations
are being made for reopening - not even repairing the
school buildings. About the "learning transition", the
only measure they seem to have in mind right now is to
tell teachers to spend half of their time on "remedial
learning".</p>
<p>Their main concern right now seems to be the
forthcoming "National Achievement Survey". That's based
on grade-specific learning, so that's what they are
focusing on right now. They don't want Jharkhand to end
up at the bottom...</p>
<p>I think the bottom line is that everyone is "playing
safe" and no-one wants to take the risk of being blamed
in the event where some children die (or infection
spreads) after schools reopen.</p>
<p>That's the long a short. We might seek an appointment
with the Chief Minister. (Meanwhile I sent Rishikesh's
note to the secretary, in a follow-up mail.)</p>
<p>Jean</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 23-08-2021 10:10, Guru wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Jean,<br>
<br>
As Jyotsna says the letter is brief yet communicates
the most important points. Perhaps in the conversation
you may be able to bring in the larger consequences of
school closure (child labour, malnutrition, early
marriages, likely high school drop out across next
decade and iniquitous nature of all these) and
possible support in terms of models/resources from the
national coalition on the education emergency.<br>
<br>
All the best. Along with the letter you could also
release the 'press release' post your meeting. <br>
<br>
regards,<br>
Guru<br>
<br>
<br>
On 23/08/21 9:58 am, Jyotsna Jha wrote:<br>
<br>
</p>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jean, </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The letter looks good -
communicates the most important. Wish you all
the best - let us hope it creates an impact. I
think it will be good to release it elsewhere
through media as well once you have had your
meeting. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Regards,</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jyotsna</p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Mon, Aug 23, 2021 at 8:08
AM Jean Dreze <<a href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net" target="_blank">jaandaraz@riseup.net</a>>
wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin:5pt 0in 5pt 4.8pt">
<div>
<p>That will be really useful. Here is the
letter I have drafted for the Education
Secretary (not for circulation please, we will
release the final version to the media
tomorrow). If need be, we will send a similar
letter to the CM and request an appointment.</p>
<p>Jean</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 22-08-2021 21:31,
Mythili Ram wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have received about
a dozen cases of what's being tried in
different sites, largely in South India
for now. We will compile them by Thursday
and share. </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mythili</p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Sun, Aug 22, 2021,
5:29 PM Jean Dreze <<a href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net" target="_blank">jaandaraz@riseup.net</a>>
wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin:5pt 0in 5pt 4.8pt">
<div>
<p>Thanks Guru. Would be good to hear
more about points 1 and 2 from
Mythili, Ranjani and Manisha. I will
count myself lucky if we are able to
persuade the Secy that schools need to
reopen soon and that the Govt of
Jharkhand may benefit from these
inputs for the purpose of preparing a
transition plan. Hopefully they are on
the job, but I will be surprised if
they have electrifying proposals.</p>
<p>Jean</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 22-08-2021
13:14, Guru wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Jean,<br>
<br>
I have compiled inputs from
Rishikesh, Jyotnsa and Sajitha in
mail thread + Note on the Education
Emergency in <a href="https://educationemergency.net/2021/08/resume-and-renew-education-for-26-crore-children-hi/" target="_blank">Hindi</a> +
Press release advocating immediate
opening of pre-primary and primary
schools from the National Coalition,
in the attached PDF, to make it
easier to print/share. <br>
<br>
It may be useful to present the note
as from the 'National Coalition on
the Education Emergency' whose
members are working to provide
education support to schools,
communities as well as larger
mobilization of parents, teachers,
stakeholders. <b>So that it is seen
as a potential continuous
support/engagement than a one-off
interaction. </b>The note in the
beginning summarises this potential
support (also provided below)</p>
<ol type="1" start="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.65pt;line-height:105%">The
Working Group on ‘<span style="color:black;background:rgb(255,242,0)">Education
Support to Schools and
Communities</span>’ is in the
process of documenting models of
meaningful learning (of different
groups/organizations) and
compiling these. Based on this,
the group is preparing ‘Guidelines
for school opening’. <span style="color:black;background:rgb(255,242,0)">We
will provide the documents from
this process to the Jharkhand
education department. Contact
Mythili Ramchand, Ranjani
Ranganathan)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.65pt;line-height:105%">The
Working Group on ‘<span style="color:black;background:rgb(255,242,0)">Education
Support to Schools and
Communities</span>’ is in the
process of organizing a meeting of
<span style="color:black">parents
groups, teacher groups, NGOs,
CBOs working in <b>Jharkhand</b>.
<span style="background:rgb(255,242,0)">The
Education department should
have a representative attend
this virtual meeting to get a
direct hearing of views of
different stakeholders from
Jharkhand. (Contact person -
Manisha Priyam</span>)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.65pt;line-height:105%"><span style="color:black">The Working
Group on ‘</span>Research’ is
compiling research studies
conducted relating to Covid and
education, and will release the
highlights soon. <span style="color:black;background:rgb(255,242,0)">The
suggestions made in this note,
do align with the findings of
almost all the research studies.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.65pt;line-height:105%">The
press release in the note argues
for the immediate opening of
pre-primary and primary schools,
(contrary to the political
preference to open class X-XII) as
the maximum harm from school
closure affects this group. The
note in <a href="https://educationemergency.net/2021/08/resume-and-renew-education-for-26-crore-children-hi/" target="_blank">Hindi</a>
discusses the need to 'resume' and
'renew' school education.</li>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am copying
Manisha, Mythili, Ranjani and
Venita for their inputs/suggestions.
<br>
<br>
regards,<br>
Guru<br>
Gurumurthy Kasinathan,<a href="https://educationemergency.net/2021/08/resume-and-renew-education-for-26-crore-children-hi/" target="_blank"> <span>शिक्षा</span>
<span>आपातकाल</span>
<span>पर</span> <span>राष्ट्रीय</span>
<span>सहभागिता</span></a></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
On 22/08/21 10:26 am, Rishikesh
wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sajitha &
Jyotsna have already provided
very useful inputs. So, I’m not
sure how useful this attachment
is Jean. It contains examples on
how the current and next year
can be designed and the kind of
curricular changes (broad and
the next level illustratively
for Math).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m attaching
the word version so that you can
use any section of the note to
incorporate into your submission
to the Secy, GoJ. Please feel
free to use the note I’ve shared
in whatever way you feel fit as
it does not require any
referencing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Warm regards,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">rishi</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b>
Research <a href="mailto:research-bounces@educationemergency.net" target="_blank"><research-bounces@educationemergency.net></a>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jyotsna
Jha<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, August
22, 2021 10:06 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Sajitha Bashir <a href="mailto:sajitha.bashir@gmail.com" target="_blank"><sajitha.bashir@gmail.com></a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net" target="_blank">research@educationemergency.net</a>;
Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya <a href="mailto:aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com" target="_blank"><aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Research]
posters</p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Jean, </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can see
that we all have
different and at times also
contrary suggestions. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet, can
help suggesting a few - I am
sure you would discern and
decide: I think you should
ask for some quick decisions
that are also easier to
implement followed by some
modified approaches for
being more supportive to
children. I have five
suggestions:</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. I am a
votary for a Zero Year or a
Bonus Year for all primary
kids, especially in states
like Jharkhand and Bihar. In
the lifetime, one year is
nothing but if pushed to
higher grades without
knowing nothing, it would
lead to much higher
dropouts. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. A
curriculum-approach
replanning with support of
local (there are some in
Ranchi who understand these
well) and some external
people, focusing on key and
supportive concepts - I know
that MP is making some such
initiative. Different from
bridging in the sense that
it also takes note of
already prevailing learning
gaps and also structural
aspects. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">3.
Training teachers on this
new approach and also
extensively on equity and
learning issues making
them able to have a
differential approach and
not treating all children
the same. It may also mean
individual testing (as
Sajitha is suggesting) to
know about each one of them
- but much better to
equip teachers to do that
rather than organising large
scale ones. It must include
orienting them on
socio-emotional support and
the importance of
maintaining links with
children/parents during such
breaks.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">4.
Preparing
teachers/schools/system for
future sudden such
occurrences (third wave?).
For instance, many schools
don't have all children's
addresses with landmarks,
phone numbers (family or
neighbour), closest literate
person's phone
number/address. We found
that to be a major
constraint that teachers
faced when it came to
getting in touch with
students and families.
Record collection may have
happened but the school does
not have these in many
cases. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">5.
Textbooks (plus additional
learning materials) and
Meals to be non-negotiable -
the system must assess the
current practices and assure
the availability of these
two. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Regards,</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jyotsna</p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Sun,
Aug 22, 2021 at 9:20 AM
Sajitha Bashir <<a href="mailto:sajitha.bashir@gmail.com" target="_blank">sajitha.bashir@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin:5pt 0in 5pt 4.8pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Studies
from the US show that it
takes several years for
students who are below
grade level to "catch up"
to grade level ; one study
I saw indicates that only
4 % catch up in two years
! (This is
pre-pandemic). In
general, younger children,
and students who are not
independent learners take
longer. So this cannot
be a one-time effort, it
could take a few years.
In other words, think of
what you have to do
consistently for several
years (which may , if done
well, actually introduce
some much needed changes
in the education system).
That is the first point
that I would make. </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The
education support group
of the coalition is
preparing draft
guidelines/ principles .
At this stage, a few
other points that could
be put forward</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
children need to be
assessed individually
(not just on academic
subjects); sample based
assessments and tests
give us an idea of the
scale of the problem,
but do not indicate what
needs to be done in each
school. These have to be
administered by
teachers, but there must
be some quality checks
and protocols, and
consistent analysis of
data, to help develop
school plans. [ Also,
children would also have
learnt new skills and
resilience during this
time, and it is
important to build on
this]</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
extend the time for
learning (eg weekends,
holidays etc). This
obviously has to be
negotiated with teachers
or other organizations
have to be brought in.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
mixed age groups /
classes in smaller
groups - eg you can
teach literacy skills to
some students in classes
1-3 together, if some
grade 2-3 students have
lost literacy skills.
This becomes more
difficult at higher
levels, but solutions
can be found.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
focus on core subjects
initially - language,
mathematics; and
socio-emotional</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
tailored training for
teachers to understand
and take up new methods,
and regular support
provided to them</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
additional instructional
materials for the above
(ie the textbooks
usually cannot be used;
but additional
instructional materials
are not difficult to
develop and need not
take time)</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">- a
clear instructional plan
developed by each school
( schools will need
support for this)</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
detailed district or
block level planning and
monitoring to support
each school; </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
meaningful and sensitive
communication with
parents on a regular
basis.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">-
more public funding to
support all of above;
one can't tackle the
crisis meaningfully with
the existing level of
resources</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On
Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at
9:56 PM Jean Dreze <<a href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net" target="_blank">jaandaraz@riseup.net</a>>
wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin:5pt 0in 5pt 4.8pt">
<div>
<p>We are meeting the
Education Secretary in
Jharkhand tomorrow. If
you have any
suggestions, or any
ready-made material
that might be useful
to him, please let me
know.</p>
<p>Jean</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On
22-08-2021 07:12,
Rishikesh wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">That
is right. The gap
that has occurred
over the 16+
months is so huge
and as Jean says
it is over the gap
that already
existed! If we are
to do anything
meaningful, we
will need a lot of
time with the
children to even
get them to where
they were before
the lockdown.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I
guess all will
agree with it too.
But the challenge
is in coming up
with the
appropriate
approach with a
suitable
curriculum,
material,
pedagogy, capacity
building to use
them & so on…
we will have to
start working with
State Govt’s to
actionize this. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b>
Jean Dreze <a href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net" target="_blank"><jaandaraz@riseup.net></a>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b>
Saturday,
August 21,
2021 8:09 PM<br>
<b>To:</b>
Niranjanaradhya.V.P
Aradhya <a href="mailto:aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com" target="_blank"><aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com></a>;
Guru <a href="mailto:Guru@ITforChange.net" target="_blank"><Guru@ITforChange.net></a><br>
<b>Cc:</b>
Sajitha Bashir
<a href="mailto:sajitha.bashir@gmail.com" target="_blank"><sajitha.bashir@gmail.com></a>;
<a href="mailto:mehendalearchana@gmail.com" target="_blank">mehendalearchana@gmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net" target="_blank">research@educationemergency.net</a>;
Rishikesh <a href="mailto:rishikesh@apu.edu.in" target="_blank"><rishikesh@apu.edu.in></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b>
Re: [Research]
posters</p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p>It seems to me
that the "bridge",
however designed,
will have to
extend to March
2023, not 2022.
Because the "gap",
for children
who've been left
out all this time,
is not just
one-and-a-half
years (since
lockdown began);
it's
one-and-a-half
years + what they
forgot of what
they had learnt +
whatever gap was
already there
before the
lockdown began. I
don't see a
3-month bridge
course filling
that gap.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jean</p>
<p> </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On
21-08-2021
19:51,
Niranjanaradhya.V.P
Aradhya wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">Hi Jean and friends </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">You have raised an important issue.
Since March 24<sup>th</sup>
to till date
nothing much
happened to
children who
are in lower
classes.
Therefore, I
propose the
following. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">The children who joined class 1 in
2020-21 can be
combined with
the children
who are
joining class
1 in 2021-22
since there
levels of
learning are
one and the
same. These
children will
undergo
accelerated
learning
programme to
learn basic
things
appropriate to
their age and
grade in a
combined
manner to
benefit both
the age groups
and grades in
2021-22 for
200 hundred
learning days
as indicated
by RTE Act.
During this
period,
teachers with
special
curriculum and
methods help
these children
master the
competencies
otherwise they
would have
mastered in
class 1 and
two
respectively.
At the end of
2022 academic
year , a
special
programme for
children who
got admitted
to class 1 in
2020-21 (
though they
have not
attended
school) can
be designed
with special
curriculum to
prepare them
for class 3,
so that we can
avoid loss of
one year for
no fault of
them. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">In the meal for all other grades from
2 to 10, the
first 3 months
should be
devoted to
well-structured
bridge course
with a
specially
designed
curriculum to
get familiar
with age wise-
grade wise
competencies before
we start
curriculum
transaction </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">Otherwise, the loss is for
marginalized
children who
are first- or
second-generation learners. Therefore, while talking on behalf them and
demanding any
solution needs
a fair
understanding
and all
benefit should
be given to
children. The
decision also
should be in
the best
interest of
the children.
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black">Niranjan </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">
<hr width="98%" size="2" align="center"></div>
<div id="gmail-m_-3742608840637262258gmail-m_3278728510974995419gmail-m_2163359990533632615m_-6387122025185319414gmail-m_-1970655996329404840gmail-m_265165389183865879divRplyFwdMsg">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">From:</span></b><span style="color:black"> Jean
Dreze </span><a href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net" target="_blank"><jaandaraz@riseup.net></a><span style="color:black"><br>
<b>Sent:</b>
21 August 2021
1:20 AM<br>
<b>To:</b>
Guru </span><a href="mailto:Guru@ITforChange.net" target="_blank"><Guru@ITforChange.net></a><span style="color:black"><br>
<b>Cc:</b>
niranjan
aradhya </span><a href="mailto:aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com" target="_blank"><aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com></a><span style="color:black">; Sajitha Bashir </span><a href="mailto:sajitha.bashir@gmail.com" target="_blank"><sajitha.bashir@gmail.com></a><span style="color:black">; </span><a href="mailto:mehendalearchana@gmail.com" target="_blank">mehendalearchana@gmail.com</a><span style="color:black"> </span><a href="mailto:mehendalearchana@gmail.com" target="_blank"><mehendalearchana@gmail.com></a><span style="color:black">; </span><a href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net" target="_blank">research@educationemergency.net</a><span style="color:black"> </span><a href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net" target="_blank"><research@educationemergency.net></a><span style="color:black">; Rishikesh </span><a href="mailto:rishikesh@apu.edu.in" target="_blank"><rishikesh@apu.edu.in></a><span style="color:black"><br>
<b>Subject:</b>
Re: [Research]
posters</span>
</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Dear Guru
and friends,</p>
<p>I am still
tied up with
the field
survey, but
doing my best
to keep up in
the between
with all the
useful
material you
are
circulating.</p>
<p>The survey
findings are
alarming (no
surprise
here). In
Latehar
district, in 5
SC/ST hamlets,
we found that
75% of
children were
unable to read
a single word.
Meanwhile, the
schools are
falling apart.</p>
<p>I wonder
what the
"line" is on
automatic
promotion.
Once again it
seems to suit
privileged
children, who
are more or
less on track,
but it is the
kiss of
educational
death for
other
children. How
can children
who were
enrolled in
Class 1 last
year, and have
never been to
school or
learnt the
alphabet, be
in Class 2 now
(Class 3 in a
few months),
where they are
given English
textbooks (in
Jharkhand)? Is
there not a
case for a
"bonus year"
when all
children are
helped to
recover
instead of
sorting the
winners and
losers yet
again? Just
curious - I am
sure that you
have discussed
this.</p>
<p>I am not
clear whether
<a href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net" target="_blank">"research@educationemergency.net"</a>
is a kind of
collective
address so I
am CC-ing a
few at random!</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>Jean</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On
10-08-2021
11:05, Guru
wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt">Thanks Jean<br>
<br>
We are in the
process of
translating
posters to as
many languages
as possible as
these can help
in sharp and
quick
communication.
We will share
these with you
as well.<br>
<br>
regards<br>
Guru<br>
<br>
<br>
On 10/08/21
7:03 am, Jean
Dreze wrote:</p>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<p>Dear Guru:
Thanks for
this and other
mails. I am up
to my ears
right now with
the field
survey (until
22 August),
but I will
catch up as
soon as
possible. We
will
definitely
help with
media for one
thing.</p>
<p>More asap,</p>
<p>Jean</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On
06-08-2021
15:41, Guru
wrote:</p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<pre>Dear Jean</pre>
<pre> </pre>
<pre>I am attaching the posters that my colleague made in our Karnataka</pre>
<pre>'Open Schools' campaign</pre>
<pre> </pre>
<pre>The campaign included a street protest, media articles, few press</pre>
<pre>releases which were reported in local papers. It may have helped a bit -</pre>
<pre>the Karnataka Govt kept high schools open Jan-March 2021.</pre>
<pre>Through the State SMC Federation, Niranjan and others also organized</pre>
<pre>district level protest meetings on school opening. A PIL was also put up</pre>
<pre>in Karnataka High Court on both opening schools and providing mid day</pre>
<pre>meals. The CJ was sympathetic but did not give a firm directive to open</pre>
<pre>schools. (there is a general middle class fear psychosis)</pre>
<pre> </pre>
<pre>For this time, apart from posters, street protests, short videos</pre>
<pre>(children, parents, teachers) in multiple languages, social media</pre>
<pre>campaigns, apart from policy briefs, guidelines/toolkits for school</pre>
<pre>opening will be required. And the idea of the national coalition is to</pre>
<pre>share resources/ideas across groups working in different geographies.</pre>
<pre> </pre>
<pre>regards,</pre>
<pre>Guru</pre>
<pre> </pre>
<pre><a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2021/mar/19/midday-meals-as-crucial-as-classes-survey-2278502.html" target="_blank">https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2021/mar/19/midday-meals-as-crucial-as-classes-survey-2278502.html</a></pre>
<pre><a href="https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-schools-and-all-classes-local-hygiene-precautions" target="_blank">https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-schools-and-all-classes-local-hygiene-precautions</a></pre>
<pre><a href="https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-primary-schools-now-to-avoid-a-learning-crisis" target="_blank">https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-primary-schools-now-to-avoid-a-learning-crisis</a></pre>
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