<html>
  <head>
    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
  </head>
  <body>
    <p>Well said and I am in full agreement of course. We shall keep
      this in mind in future letters of this sort.</p>
    <p>Jean<br>
    </p>
    <p><br>
    </p>
    <div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 23-08-2021 17:53,
      Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:PSAPR02MB47597239C65EDF47BC2A94BEB6C49@PSAPR02MB4759.apcprd02.prod.outlook.com">
      <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
      <style type="text/css" style="display:none;">P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}</style>
      <div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times,
        serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
        <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in
          10pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,
          sans-serif;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
          <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New
            Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
            New Roman"">Dear Jean,<o:p> </o:p></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in
          10pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,
          sans-serif;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
          <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New
            Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
            New Roman""><o:p><br>
            </o:p></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in
          10pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,
          sans-serif;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
          <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New
            Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
            New Roman"">Thanks for sharing the letter. You have
            covered all the points in a more authentic way along with
            research evidences. However, I personally feel that public
            schools in India are not only places for learning to uphold
            the fundamental right but also many other rights for overall
            holistic development. It includes nutrition, wellbeing
            through appropriate health interventions and joyful
            childhood through enabling environment for recreation and
            games. The school closure is taking all these rights that
            are guaranteed under constitution under 39 (e) &( f)
            read with Article 21 and 47. Therefore, immediately starting
            mid-day meal programme with all other supportive nutrition
            and health systems is crucial for overall development. It
            would have been appropriate to flag all these issues in the
            letter.
            <o:p> </o:p></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in
          10pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,
          sans-serif;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
          <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New
            Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
            New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in
          10pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,
          sans-serif;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
          <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New
            Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
            New Roman"">Regards,<o:p> </o:p></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in
          10pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,
          sans-serif;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
          <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New
            Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
            New Roman"">Niranjan
            <o:p> </o:p></span></p>
        <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in
          10pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,
          sans-serif;margin-bottom:.0001pt">
          <span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New
            Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times
            New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
        <br>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="font-family:"Times New Roman",Times,serif;
          font-size:14pt; color:rgb(0,0,0)">
          <br>
        </div>
        <hr tabindex="-1" style="display:inline-block; width:98%">
        <div id="divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font style="font-size:11pt"
            face="Calibri, sans-serif" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> Jean
            Dreze <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net"><jaandaraz@riseup.net></a><br>
            <b>Sent:</b> 23 August 2021 2:37 AM<br>
            <b>To:</b> Mythili Ram <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:mythiliramchand@gmail.com"><mythiliramchand@gmail.com></a><br>
            <b>Cc:</b> Guru <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:Guru@itforchange.net"><Guru@itforchange.net></a>;
            <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net">research@educationemergency.net</a>
            <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net"><research@educationemergency.net></a>; Niranjanaradhya.V.P
            Aradhya <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com"><aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com></a>; Sriranjani
            Ranganathan <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:sriranjani.ranganathan@gmail.com"><sriranjani.ranganathan@gmail.com></a>;
            Manisha Priyam <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:priyam.manisha@gmail.com"><priyam.manisha@gmail.com></a>; venita kaul
            <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:vkaul54@gmail.com"><vkaul54@gmail.com></a><br>
            <b>Subject:</b> Re: Meeting with Jharkhand Education
            Secretary</font>
          <div> </div>
        </div>
        <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<br>
          </p>
          <div class="x_moz-cite-prefix">On 22-08-2021 21:31, Mythili
            Ram wrote:<br>
          </div>
          <blockquote type="cite">
            <div dir="auto">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.
              <div dir="auto"><br>
              </div>
              <div dir="auto">Mythili</div>
            </div>
            <br>
            <div class="x_gmail_quote">
              <div dir="ltr" class="x_gmail_attr">On Sun, Aug 22, 2021,
                5:29 PM Jean Dreze <<a
                  href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net"
                  moz-do-not-send="true">jaandaraz@riseup.net</a>>
                wrote:<br>
              </div>
              <blockquote class="x_gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0
                .8ex; border-left:1px #ccc solid; padding-left:1ex">
                <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.<br>
                  </p>
                  <p>Jean<br>
                  </p>
                  <div>On 22-08-2021 13:14, Guru wrote:<br>
                  </div>
                  <blockquote type="cite">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" rel="noreferrer"
                      moz-do-not-send="true">
                      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)<br>
                    <ol>
                      <li>
                        <p style="margin-bottom:0.2cm; line-height:107%">The
                          Working Group on ‘<span
                            style="background:#fff200">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’.
                          <font color="#000000"><span
                              style="font-weight:normal"><span
                                style="background:#fff200">We will
                                provide the documents from this process
                                to the Jharkhand education department.
                                Contact Mythili Ramchand, Ranjani
                                Ranganathan)</span></span></font></p>
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        <p style="margin-bottom:0.2cm; line-height:107%">The
                          Working Group on ‘<span
                            style="background:#fff200">Education Support
                            to Schools and Communities</span>’ is in the
                          process of organizing a meeting of
                          <font color="#000000">parents groups, teacher
                            groups, NGOs, CBOs working in <b>Jharkhand</b>.
                          </font><font color="#000000"><span
                              style="background:#fff200">The Education
                              department should have a representative
                              attend this virtual meeting to get a
                              direct hearing of views of different
                              stakeholders
                            </span></font><font color="#000000"><span
                              style="background:#fff200">from Jharkhan</span></font><font
                            color="#000000"><span
                              style="background:#fff200">d</span></font><font
                            color="#000000"><span
                              style="background:#fff200">. (Contact
                              person - Manisha Priyam</span></font><font
                            color="#000000">)</font></p>
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        <p style="margin-bottom:0.2cm; line-height:107%"><font
                            color="#000000">The </font>
                          <font color="#000000">Working Group on ‘</font>Research’
                          is compiling research studies conducted
                          relating to Covid and education, and will
                          release the highlights soon.
                          <span style="font-weight:normal"><span
                              style="background:#fff200">The suggestions
                              made in this note, do
                            </span></span><span
                            style="font-weight:normal"><span
                              style="background:#fff200">align</span></span><span
                            style="font-weight:normal"><span
                              style="background:#fff200"> with the
                              findings of almost all the research
                              studies.</span></span></p>
                      </li>
                      <li>
                        <p style="margin-bottom:0.2cm; line-height:107%">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" rel="noreferrer"
                            moz-do-not-send="true">
                            Hindi</a> discusses the need to 'resume' and
                          'renew' school education.<br>
                        </p>
                      </li>
                    </ol>
                    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" rel="noreferrer"
                      moz-do-not-send="true"> शिक्षा आपातकाल पर
                      राष्ट्रीय सहभागिता</a><br>
                    <div><br>
                      On 22/08/21 10:26 am, Rishikesh wrote:<br>
                    </div>
                    <blockquote type="cite">
                      <div>
                        <p class="x_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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                        <p class="x_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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                        <p class="x_MsoNormal">Warm regards,</p>
                        <p class="x_MsoNormal">rishi</p>
                        <p class="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                        <div style="border:none; border-top:solid
                          #e1e1e1 1.0pt; padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Research <a
href="mailto:research-bounces@educationemergency.net" target="_blank"
                              rel="noreferrer" moz-do-not-send="true">
<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" rel="noreferrer"
                              moz-do-not-send="true">
                              <sajitha.bashir@gmail.com></a><br>
                            <b>Cc:</b> <a
                              href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net"
                              target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"
                              moz-do-not-send="true">
                              research@educationemergency.net</a>;
                            Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya <a
                              href="mailto:aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com"
                              target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"
                              moz-do-not-send="true">
                              <aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com></a><br>
                            <b>Subject:</b> Re: [Research] posters</p>
                        </div>
                        <p class="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                        <div>
                          <p class="x_MsoNormal">Hi Jean, </p>
                          <div>
                            <p class="x_MsoNormal">I can see that we all
                              have different and at times also contrary
                              suggestions. </p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="x_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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="x_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="x_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="x_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="x_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="x_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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="x_MsoNormal">Regards,</p>
                          </div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="x_MsoNormal">Jyotsna</p>
                          </div>
                        </div>
                        <p class="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                        <div>
                          <div>
                            <p class="x_MsoNormal">On Sun, Aug 22, 2021
                              at 9:20 AM Sajitha Bashir <<a
                                href="mailto:sajitha.bashir@gmail.com"
                                target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"
                                moz-do-not-send="true">sajitha.bashir@gmail.com</a>>
                              wrote:</p>
                          </div>
                          <blockquote style="border:none;
                            border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt; padding:0in
                            0in 0in 6.0pt; margin-left:4.8pt;
                            margin-right:0in">
                            <div>
                              <p class="x_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="x_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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="x_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="x_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="x_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="x_MsoNormal">- focus on core
                                  subjects initially - language,
                                  mathematics; and socio-emotional</p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="x_MsoNormal">- tailored
                                  training for teachers to understand
                                  and take up new methods, and regular
                                  support provided to them</p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="x_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="x_MsoNormal">- a clear
                                  instructional plan developed by each
                                  school ( schools will need support for
                                  this)</p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="x_MsoNormal">- detailed
                                  district or block level planning and
                                  monitoring to support each school; </p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="x_MsoNormal">- meaningful and
                                  sensitive communication with parents
                                  on a regular basis.</p>
                              </div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="x_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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                              </div>
                            </div>
                            <p class="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                            <div>
                              <div>
                                <p class="x_MsoNormal">On Sat, Aug 21,
                                  2021 at 9:56 PM Jean Dreze <<a
                                    href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net"
                                    target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"
                                    moz-do-not-send="true">jaandaraz@riseup.net</a>>
                                  wrote:</p>
                              </div>
                              <blockquote style="border:none;
                                border-left:solid #cccccc 1.0pt;
                                padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;
                                margin-left:4.8pt; margin-right:0in">
                                <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="x_MsoNormal">On 22-08-2021
                                      07:12, Rishikesh wrote:</p>
                                  </div>
                                  <blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;
                                    margin-bottom:5.0pt">
                                    <div>
                                      <p class="x_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="x_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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                                      <div>
                                        <div style="border:none;
                                          border-top:solid #e1e1e1
                                          1.0pt; padding:3.0pt 0in 0in
                                          0in">
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><b>From:</b>
                                            Jean Dreze <a
                                              href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net"
                                              target="_blank"
                                              rel="noreferrer"
                                              moz-do-not-send="true">
<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"
                                              rel="noreferrer"
                                              moz-do-not-send="true">
<aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com></a>; Guru <a
                                              href="mailto:Guru@ITforChange.net"
                                              target="_blank"
                                              rel="noreferrer"
                                              moz-do-not-send="true">
<Guru@ITforChange.net></a><br>
                                            <b>Cc:</b> Sajitha Bashir <a
href="mailto:sajitha.bashir@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"
                                              moz-do-not-send="true">
<sajitha.bashir@gmail.com></a>; <a
                                              href="mailto:mehendalearchana@gmail.com"
                                              target="_blank"
                                              rel="noreferrer"
                                              moz-do-not-send="true">
                                              mehendalearchana@gmail.com</a>;
                                            <a
                                              href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net"
                                              target="_blank"
                                              rel="noreferrer"
                                              moz-do-not-send="true">
research@educationemergency.net</a>; Rishikesh <a
                                              href="mailto:rishikesh@apu.edu.in"
                                              target="_blank"
                                              rel="noreferrer"
                                              moz-do-not-send="true">
<rishikesh@apu.edu.in></a><br>
                                            <b>Subject:</b> Re:
                                            [Research] posters</p>
                                        </div>
                                      </div>
                                      <p class="x_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="x_MsoNormal">On
                                          21-08-2021 19:51,
                                          Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya
                                          wrote:</p>
                                      </div>
                                      <blockquote
                                        style="margin-top:5.0pt;
                                        margin-bottom:5.0pt">
                                        <div>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black">Hi Jean and
                                              friends </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black"> </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              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="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              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="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black"> </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              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="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black"> </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              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="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black"> </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black">Niranjan  </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black"> </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"><span
                                              style="font-size:12.0pt;
                                              color:black"> </span></p>
                                          <p class="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                                        </div>
                                        <div>
                                          <div>
                                            <p class="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                                          </div>
                                          <div class="x_MsoNormal"
                                            style="text-align:center"
                                            align="center">
                                            <hr width="98%" size="2"
                                              align="center">
                                          </div>
                                          <div
id="x_m_-6387122025185319414gmail-m_-1970655996329404840gmail-m_265165389183865879divRplyFwdMsg">
                                            <p class="x_MsoNormal"><b><span
                                                  style="color:black">From:</span></b><span
                                                style="color:black">
                                                Jean Dreze
                                                <a
                                                  href="mailto:jaandaraz@riseup.net"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true"><jaandaraz@riseup.net></a><br>
                                                <b>Sent:</b> 21 August
                                                2021 1:20 AM<br>
                                                <b>To:</b> Guru <a
                                                  href="mailto:Guru@ITforChange.net"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
<Guru@ITforChange.net></a><br>
                                                <b>Cc:</b> niranjan
                                                aradhya <a
                                                  href="mailto:aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
<aradhyaniranjan@hotmail.com></a>; Sajitha Bashir <a
                                                  href="mailto:sajitha.bashir@gmail.com"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
<sajitha.bashir@gmail.com></a>; <a
                                                  href="mailto:mehendalearchana@gmail.com"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
mehendalearchana@gmail.com</a> <a
                                                  href="mailto:mehendalearchana@gmail.com"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
<mehendalearchana@gmail.com></a>; <a
                                                  href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
research@educationemergency.net</a> <a
                                                  href="mailto:research@educationemergency.net"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
<research@educationemergency.net></a>; Rishikesh <a
                                                  href="mailto:rishikesh@apu.edu.in"
                                                  target="_blank"
                                                  rel="noreferrer"
                                                  moz-do-not-send="true">
<rishikesh@apu.edu.in></a><br>
                                                <b>Subject:</b> Re:
                                                [Research] posters</span>
                                            </p>
                                            <div>
                                              <p class="x_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"
                                                rel="noreferrer"
                                                moz-do-not-send="true">
"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="x_MsoNormal"> </p>
                                            <div>
                                              <p class="x_MsoNormal">On
                                                10-08-2021 11:05, Guru
                                                wrote:</p>
                                            </div>
                                            <blockquote
                                              style="margin-top:5.0pt;
                                              margin-bottom:5.0pt">
                                              <p class="x_MsoNormal"
                                                style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">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:5.0pt;
                                                margin-bottom:5.0pt">
                                                <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="x_MsoNormal">On
                                                    06-08-2021 15:41,
                                                    Guru wrote:</p>
                                                </div>
                                                <blockquote
                                                  style="margin-top:5.0pt;
                                                  margin-bottom:5.0pt">
                                                  <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" rel="noreferrer" moz-do-not-send="true">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" rel="noreferrer" moz-do-not-send="true">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" rel="noreferrer" moz-do-not-send="true">https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-primary-schools-now-to-avoid-a-learning-crisis</a></pre>
                                                  <br>
                                                </blockquote>
                                              </blockquote>
                                            </blockquote>
                                          </div>
                                        </div>
                                      </blockquote>
                                    </div>
                                  </blockquote>
                                </div>
                              </blockquote>
                            </div>
                          </blockquote>
                        </div>
                      </div>
                    </blockquote>
                    <br>
                  </blockquote>
                </div>
              </blockquote>
            </div>
          </blockquote>
        </div>
      </div>
    </blockquote>
  </body>
</html>