[Research] posters

[Sajitha Bashir]

Hi Jean, thanks for this  .
The situation on the ground is truly catastrophic .
The danger is that a bureaucratic fiat will be issued that will not address
the problems facing children:  either automatic promotion , or  2-3 month
"bridge courses" to allegedly bring the "lagging children" up to grade
level (and then continue with the current grade syllabus), or "detain" kids
in their existing class, and still teach them nothing.   Further, all this
will be done in the name of equity - ie we have the same policy for
everyone because we don't want to discriminate.  Politically and socially,
it will be impossible to "detain" some children and allow others to go
ahead (even advanced countries are not doing that).  So what is important,
is to assess every child, and group children - even in mized ages/grades-
so that they can be taught appropriately.   But this requires preparing
materials, training the teachers and re-organizing how the schools
function, with flexibility at the local level, monitoring and support.
They are not impossible to do, but these efforts must be made , otherwise,
the calamity will only deepen.

Sajitha

On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 9:20 PM Jean Dreze <jaandaraz at riseup.net> wrote:

> Dear Guru and friends,
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> I am not clear whether "research at educationemergency.net"
> <research at educationemergency.net> is a kind of collective address so I am
> CC-ing a few at random!
>
> Best,
>
> Jean
>
> On 10-08-2021 11:05, Guru wrote:
>
> Thanks Jean
>
> 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.
>
> regards
> Guru
>
>
> On 10/08/21 7:03 am, Jean Dreze wrote:
>
> 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.
>
> More asap,
>
> Jean
> On 06-08-2021 15:41, Guru wrote:
>
> Dear Jean
>
> I am attaching the posters that  my colleague made in our Karnataka
> 'Open Schools' campaign
>
> The campaign included a street protest, media articles, few press
> releases which were reported in local papers. It may have helped a bit -
> the Karnataka Govt kept high schools open Jan-March 2021.
> Through the State SMC Federation, Niranjan and others also organized
> district level protest meetings on school opening. A PIL was also put up
> in Karnataka High Court  on both opening schools and providing mid day
> meals. The CJ was sympathetic but  did not give a firm directive to open
> schools. (there is a general middle class fear psychosis)
>
> For this time, apart from posters, street protests, short videos
> (children, parents, teachers) in multiple languages, social media
> campaigns, apart from policy briefs, guidelines/toolkits for school
> opening will be required. And the idea of the national coalition is to
> share resources/ideas across groups working in different geographies.
>
> regards,
> Guru
> https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2021/mar/19/midday-meals-as-crucial-as-classes-survey-2278502.htmlhttps://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-schools-and-all-classes-local-hygiene-precautionshttps://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-primary-schools-now-to-avoid-a-learning-crisis
>
>
>
>
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