Gadag: Students in five villages in Gadag found a way to bridge their learning gaps as long as locking because of the repair learning program by SBI Foundation.
The SVAVA (GSP) gram program, launched by SBI Foundation Mumbai, allows children to learn the reading and writing skills of basic English and even improve their general knowledge.
Classes are taken between 4PM and 19:00 with the required curriculum activity book.
Siddalingesh Ballolli, Coordinator, SBI GSP, told TOI that the improvement class was one of the 26 activities taken under SBI GSP.
“This is intended to keep rural students involved in learning activities during a pandemic,” he added.
Sikandar Meeranaik, CEO of Sankalpa Rural Development Society (SRDS), Hubballi, which is a nodal organization for SBI GSP, said that to overcome the children’s learning gap with basic skills reteaching, the focus is in the core area and read English.
Writing, Mathematical and General Knowledge Skills.
“The main objective is to provide additional assistance to students in interior villages and help them develop positive attitudes and prepare them for future courses,” he added.
Asharani Hiremath, the SRDS educational coordinator, stressed that the class was being taken in Pethal, Basapur, Tambagundi, Harogeri and Kelur and local graduates appointed as teachers in each village.
“We collect Rs 25 per month from every child and pay the teachers.
We have around 150 students studying in class I to VII.
It began in October 2020 but was suspended during locking in May and June 2021,” he added.
Umadevi Kabberli, parents in Pethalur, said his two daughters attended these classes from one year and had shown an increase.
“We get school money equivalent to urban students but at a cost of rs 25 per month.
Our children are facilitated by TV, the screen to be studied by audio-visual media.
If it’s not there, our daughter can be cut off from school,” he added .
Basappa Alavandi, parents in Tambagonundi, shared that many parents worry about their environmental education when the closing of the school is extended indefinitely.
“We relaxed on October 2020 when SBI Foundation launched the class.
They teach our children by following all Covid-19 guidelines” he said