[Research] Meeting with Jharkhand Education Secretary
Guru
Guru at ITforChange.net
Mon Aug 23 10:10:06 IST 2021
Dear Jean,
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.
All the best. Along with the letter you could also release the 'press
release' post your meeting.
regards,
Guru
On 23/08/21 9:58 am, Jyotsna Jha wrote:
> Jean,
> 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.
> Regards,
> Jyotsna
>
> On Mon, Aug 23, 2021 at 8:08 AM Jean Dreze <jaandaraz at riseup.net
> <mailto:jaandaraz at riseup.net>> wrote:
>
> 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.
>
> Jean
>
> On 22-08-2021 21:31, Mythili Ram wrote:
>> 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.
>>
>> Mythili
>>
>> On Sun, Aug 22, 2021, 5:29 PM Jean Dreze <jaandaraz at riseup.net
>> <mailto:jaandaraz at riseup.net>> wrote:
>>
>> 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.
>>
>> Jean
>>
>> On 22-08-2021 13:14, Guru wrote:
>>> Dear Jean,
>>>
>>> I have compiled inputs from Rishikesh, Jyotnsa and Sajitha
>>> in mail thread + Note on the Education Emergency in Hindi
>>> <https://educationemergency.net/2021/08/resume-and-renew-education-for-26-crore-children-hi/>
>>> + 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.
>>>
>>> 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. *So that it is seen as a potential continuous
>>> support/engagement than a one-off interaction. *The note in
>>> the beginning summarises this potential support (also
>>> provided below)
>>>
>>> 1.
>>>
>>> The Working Group on ‘Education Support to Schools and
>>> Communities’ 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’. We will
>>> provide the documents from this process to the Jharkhand
>>> education department. Contact Mythili Ramchand, Ranjani
>>> Ranganathan)
>>>
>>> 2.
>>>
>>> The Working Group on ‘Education Support to Schools and
>>> Communities’ is in the process of organizing a meeting
>>> of parents groups, teacher groups, NGOs, CBOs working in
>>> *Jharkhand*. 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)
>>>
>>> 3.
>>>
>>> The Working Group on ‘Research’ is compiling research
>>> studies conducted relating to Covid and education, and
>>> will release the highlights soon. The suggestions made
>>> in this note, do alignwith the findings of almost all
>>> the research studies.
>>>
>>> 4.
>>>
>>> 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 Hindi
>>> <https://educationemergency.net/2021/08/resume-and-renew-education-for-26-crore-children-hi/>
>>> discusses the need to 'resume' and 'renew' school education.
>>>
>>> I am copying Manisha, Mythili, Ranjani and Venita for their
>>> inputs/suggestions.
>>>
>>> regards,
>>> Guru
>>> Gurumurthy Kasinathan,शिक्षा आपातकाल पर राष्ट्रीय सहभागिता
>>> <https://educationemergency.net/2021/08/resume-and-renew-education-for-26-crore-children-hi/>
>>>
>>> On 22/08/21 10:26 am, Rishikesh wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 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).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Warm regards,
>>>>
>>>> rishi
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *From:* Research <research-bounces at educationemergency.net>
>>>> <mailto:research-bounces at educationemergency.net> *On Behalf
>>>> Of *Jyotsna Jha
>>>> *Sent:* Sunday, August 22, 2021 10:06 AM
>>>> *To:* Sajitha Bashir <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>
>>>> *Cc:* research at educationemergency.net
>>>> <mailto:research at educationemergency.net>;
>>>> Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>
>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Research] posters
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi Jean,
>>>>
>>>> I can see that we all have different and at times also
>>>> contrary suggestions.
>>>>
>>>> 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:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Jyotsna
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, Aug 22, 2021 at 9:20 AM Sajitha Bashir
>>>> <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>> The education support group of the coalition is
>>>> preparing draft guidelines/ principles . At this stage,
>>>> a few other points that could be put forward
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> - 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]
>>>>
>>>> - 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.
>>>>
>>>> - 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.
>>>>
>>>> - focus on core subjects initially - language,
>>>> mathematics; and socio-emotional
>>>>
>>>> - tailored training for teachers to understand and take
>>>> up new methods, and regular support provided to them
>>>>
>>>> - 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)
>>>>
>>>> - a clear instructional plan developed by each school (
>>>> schools will need support for this)
>>>>
>>>> - detailed district or block level planning and
>>>> monitoring to support each school;
>>>>
>>>> - meaningful and sensitive communication with parents
>>>> on a regular basis.
>>>>
>>>> - more public funding to support all of above; one
>>>> can't tackle the crisis meaningfully with the existing
>>>> level of resources
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 9:56 PM Jean Dreze
>>>> <jaandaraz at riseup.net <mailto:jaandaraz at riseup.net>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>> Jean
>>>>
>>>> On 22-08-2021 07:12, Rishikesh wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *From:* Jean Dreze <jaandaraz at riseup.net>
>>>> <mailto:jaandaraz at riseup.net>
>>>> *Sent:* Saturday, August 21, 2021 8:09 PM
>>>> *To:* Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya
>>>> <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>; Guru
>>>> <Guru at ITforChange.net>
>>>> <mailto:Guru at ITforChange.net>
>>>> *Cc:* Sajitha Bashir <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>;
>>>> mehendalearchana at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:mehendalearchana at gmail.com>;
>>>> research at educationemergency.net
>>>> <mailto:research at educationemergency.net>;
>>>> Rishikesh <rishikesh at apu.edu.in>
>>>> <mailto:rishikesh at apu.edu.in>
>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Research] posters
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jean
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 21-08-2021 19:51, Niranjanaradhya.V.P
>>>> Aradhya wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Jean and friends
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> You have raised an important issue. Since
>>>> March 24^th to till date nothing much
>>>> happened to children who are in lower
>>>> classes. Therefore, I propose the following.
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Niranjan
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> *From:*Jean Dreze <jaandaraz at riseup.net>
>>>> <mailto:jaandaraz at riseup.net>
>>>> *Sent:* 21 August 2021 1:20 AM
>>>> *To:* Guru <Guru at ITforChange.net>
>>>> <mailto:Guru at ITforChange.net>
>>>> *Cc:* niranjan aradhya
>>>> <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>;
>>>> Sajitha Bashir <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>;
>>>> mehendalearchana at gmail.com
>>>> <mailto:mehendalearchana at gmail.com>
>>>> <mehendalearchana at gmail.com>
>>>> <mailto:mehendalearchana at gmail.com>;
>>>> research at educationemergency.net
>>>> <mailto:research at educationemergency.net>
>>>> <research at educationemergency.net>
>>>> <mailto:research at educationemergency.net>;
>>>> Rishikesh <rishikesh at apu.edu.in>
>>>> <mailto:rishikesh at apu.edu.in>
>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Research] posters
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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"
>>>> <mailto: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.html <https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2021/mar/19/midday-meals-as-crucial-as-classes-survey-2278502.html>
>>>>
>>>> https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-schools-and-all-classes-local-hygiene-precautions <https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-schools-and-all-classes-local-hygiene-precautions>
>>>>
>>>> https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-primary-schools-now-to-avoid-a-learning-crisis <https://itforchange.net/press-release-open-all-primary-schools-now-to-avoid-a-learning-crisis>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
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