[Research] Meeting with Jharkhand Education Secretary
Jean Dreze
jaandaraz at riseup.net
Tue Aug 24 10:47:48 IST 2021
Can't a school become a springboard for Covid prevention (e.g. by
teaching children how to take precautions)? That would resolve the dilemma.
When we pointed out that children in the villages are milling around in
groups anyway, he said something to the effect that "if they do that, at
least it's not the government's fault"...
On 24-08-2021 10:12, Jyotsna Jha wrote:
> 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
> <mailto: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
> <mailto: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
> <mailto:jyotsna at cbps.in>>
> *Cc:* Mythili Ram <mythiliramchand at gmail.com
> <mailto:mythiliramchand at gmail.com>>;
> research at educationemergency.net
> <mailto:research at educationemergency.net>; venita kaul
> <vkaul54 at gmail.com <mailto:vkaul54 at gmail.com>>; Sriranjani
> Ranganathan <sriranjani.ranganathan at gmail.com
> <mailto:sriranjani.ranganathan at gmail.com>>; Manisha Priyam
> <priyam.manisha at gmail.com <mailto:priyam.manisha at gmail.com>>;
> Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com
> <mailto: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 <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
> 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>
> <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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