[Research] Meeting with Jharkhand Education Secretary

[Jyotsna Jha]

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.

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.

Regards,
Jyotsna

On Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 9:56 AM Rishikesh <rishikesh at apu.edu.in> wrote:

> 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.
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> *Meanwhile, please find attached a document that illustrates how **Grade* *4
> Hindi syllabus,* *based* *on* *the* *Rimjhim* *textbook* *(NCERT), and
> Grade 6 Science syllabus could be re-cast by prioritizing LOs.*
>
>
>
> Warm regards,
>
> rishi
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Research <research-bounces at educationemergency.net> *On Behalf Of *Jean
> Dreze
> *Sent:* Tuesday, August 24, 2021 7:06 AM
> *To:* Guru <Guru at ITforChange.net>; Jyotsna Jha <jyotsna at cbps.in>
> *Cc:* Mythili Ram <mythiliramchand at gmail.com>;
> research at educationemergency.net; venita kaul <vkaul54 at gmail.com>;
> Sriranjani Ranganathan <sriranjani.ranganathan at gmail.com>; Manisha Priyam
> <priyam.manisha at gmail.com>; Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya <
> aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [Research] Meeting with Jharkhand Education Secretary
>
>
>
> The meeting was so-so - not great overall, but not as bad as I expected.
>
> 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.
>
> 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".
>
> 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...
>
> 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.
>
> 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.)
>
> Jean
>
> On 23-08-2021 10:10, Guru wrote:
>
> 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> 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> 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 align with 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>
> <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> <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* research at educationemergency.net; Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya
> <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com> <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>
> 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> 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> <jaandaraz at riseup.net>
> *Sent:* Saturday, August 21, 2021 8:09 PM
> *To:* Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>
> <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>; Guru <Guru at ITforChange.net>
> <Guru at ITforChange.net>
> *Cc:* Sajitha Bashir <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com> <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>;
> mehendalearchana at gmail.com; research at educationemergency.net; Rishikesh
> <rishikesh at apu.edu.in> <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 24th 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> <jaandaraz at riseup.net>
> *Sent:* 21 August 2021 1:20 AM
> *To:* Guru <Guru at ITforChange.net> <Guru at ITforChange.net>
> *Cc:* niranjan aradhya <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>
> <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>; Sajitha Bashir <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>
> <sajitha.bashir at gmail.com>; mehendalearchana at gmail.com
> <mehendalearchana at gmail.com> <mehendalearchana at gmail.com>;
> research at educationemergency.net <research at educationemergency.net>
> <research at educationemergency.net>; Rishikesh <rishikesh at apu.edu.in>
> <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"
> <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://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
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Research mailing list
> Research at educationemergency.net
>
> http://educationemergency.net/mailman/listinfo/research_educationemergency.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
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