Karnataka: Teachers use places of worship to make sure kids keep learning

MANGALURU: Temples, churches, mosques, bhajan centres and community halls are new centres of education with at least 34 teachers mentoring over 600 students from 10 schools in the Noojibalthila cluster of Kadaba in Dakshina Kannada district.
Each teacher has adopted 20 students area-wise and they’ve been reaching out to them at least thrice a week since July last week.
Govinda Naik B, Cluster Resource Person, told STOI, “The objective is to ensure children are not deprived of education. The region’s terrain blocks access to mobile networks at many places and during a brainstorming session, we decided to reach out to students. We met parents who were cooperative and extended support.”
Naik said, “We listed addresses of all students and divided them into groups of 20, each based on the area they live. It had nothing to do with the class they were studying in. Then, one teacher was asked to adopt 20 students. We then looked for places where students could sit and study. We decided to use the premises of temples, churches, mosques, bhajan centres and community halls for students to spend at least two hours every day. Philanthropists donated sanitisers, soaps, and towels and provided hot drinking water. Students have to compulsorily wear masks and maintain social distancing norms,” he said.
Of 10 schools which are part of this project, five are lower primary government schools, three higher primary government schools, one government high school, and one unaided private high school. The 20 students are sub-divided into three groups of students in classes 1-5, 6-8, and 9-10. This reduces the learning burden when students get back to school, he added.
Puttur Block Education Officer Lokesh C said the team has focused on new admissions. “Mobile network is a major issue in the area. Most teachers have completed bridge courses, conducted pretests, while a few are in the remedial teaching phase. Study materials have been developed by the teachers and handed over to students. They also ensure that homework, notes, assignments are corrected,” he said.