[Research] Meeting with Jharkhand Education Secretary
Jean Dreze
jaandaraz at riseup.net
Tue Aug 24 12:03:04 IST 2021
Well said and I am in full agreement of course. We shall keep this in
mind in future letters of this sort.
Jean
On 23-08-2021 17:53, Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya wrote:
>
> Dear Jean,
>
>
> 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.
>
> Regards,
>
> Niranjan
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Jean Dreze <jaandaraz at riseup.net>
> *Sent:* 23 August 2021 2:37 AM
> *To:* Mythili Ram <mythiliramchand at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* Guru <Guru at itforchange.net>; research at educationemergency.net
> <research at educationemergency.net>; Niranjanaradhya.V.P Aradhya
> <aradhyaniranjan at hotmail.com>; Sriranjani Ranganathan
> <sriranjani.ranganathan at gmail.com>; Manisha Priyam
> <priyam.manisha at gmail.com>; venita kaul <vkaul54 at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* Re: Meeting with Jharkhand Education Secretary
>
> 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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