Remote learning initiatives - Jharkhand

The Jharkhand Government launched the DigiSATH initiative to digitally reach out to students studying in thousands of government schools during the country-wide lockdown. DigiSATH program has created a tremendous state-wide momentum ensuring continued learning through multiple means - WhatsApp, Television, DIKSHA App, offline learning. Entire State education administration has been connected through thousands of WhatsApp Groups created at different levels.

Over the course of two months, nearly 90% schools have been connected through DigiSATH. State is currently able to reach out to more than 4 lakh students through WhatsApp, while the reach of Television is not known yet. Students are studying through both remedial and grade level content being sent out every day. Moreover, with 10-20% increase in performance of grade 9-10 students in weekly quizzes, there has been an improvement in learning levels too.

With the State’s SCERT leading content production and curation efforts, digital content is being curated from best ed-tech sources available and is shared with teachers and students through WhatsApp Groups. More than 90% teachers and students have given positive feedback on the content and have also begun to realize the long-term potential of digital learning.

Jharkhand DigiSATH has been initiated as part of Project SATH with support of Boston Consulting Group and Piramal Foundation.

WhatsApp: Student and teacher learning

(30,000 school groups, 90% teachers, 10 lakh students)

• Daily content for students and teachers as per a structured calendar covering all major subjects and topics
• High quality student and teacher learning material curated for all classes (I -XII)
• Content messages disseminated through 30,000+ groups at fixed time in the morning ensuring continuity and regularity
• Teachers across the State are also creating content and sharing with students at local level

Television

• Four hours of dedicated TV programming under “Hamara DoorDarshan Hamara Vidyalaya” with special focus on grade X and XII students for Board examinations
• Content curated with a collaborative effort of multiple Ed-Tech organizations
• Toll free number for children to ask doubts; to be cleared by SCERT every Saturday

Teacher Professional Development

• Four hours of dedicated TV programming under “Hamara DoorDarshan Hamara Vidyalaya” with special focus on grade X and XII students for Board examinations
• Content curated with a collaborative effort of multiple Ed-Tech organizations
• Toll free number for children to ask doubts; to be cleared by SCERT every Saturday

Saturday Quizzes

The State also organizes quizzes every Saturday for students of classes 3-10 to strengthen student engagement and ensure regular assessments. More than 50,000 students across grades participate in these quizzes on a weekly basis. 10-20% improvement in learning has also been observed in grade 9-10 students.

Implementation of DigiSATH

The State has taken multiple steps to mainstream digital learning for continued learning through the DigiSATH initiative.

Mass-VCs Conducted to orient officials, teachers and parents

There has been a change in the ways of working of education administration at a massive scale across the State with adoption of video conferencing methods. Mass scale VCs and webinars have been organized at all levels of administration. This has created a momentum for digital learning and ensured direct accountability.

• VC with District/ Block officials (Top Right)
• Weekly VC with HMs/ Prabhari HMs

Identification and Certification of Champion Teachers

An initiative to recognize extraordinary work on the part of the teachers was made part of the DigiSATH program. Meritorious teachers are felicitated with Certification by the State leadership.

This acts as a catalyst in teacher motivation and has resulted in further activation of the teacher base.

Regular tracking and monitoring

State ensures regular monitoring of the program at District, Block and school levels. Data is reported daily from the field enabling effective and focused implementation

Impact

With over 30,000 school WhatsApp groups and 10 lakh students connected, State is able to reach out to more than 4 lakh students every week through WhatsApp alone. With 30% TV penetration in the State, learning could be ensured for at least 15 lakh students2. 

Mohalla schools

Teachers across green zones have initiated classes for 8-10 students to maintain social distancing. This has resulted in continued education for students, especially, who can not be connected through digital means.

Roving teachers

Many teachers, realizing the need for continued learning have begun to go from house to house to engage with their students. These teachers are interacting with students while completing their mid-day meal and other duties.

Bal Sansad

Bal Sansads are playing a prominent role with each Bal Sansad member being responsible for reaching out to 10 fellow students. Peer to peer learning has complemented learning through digital content. A combination of self-study, peer to peer learning and teaching by teachers has evolved over the last two months.

Behavioral change

DigiSATH has led to large-scale behavioral changes among all major stakeholders.

• Teachers are going out of their way to go from house to house to raise awareness and teach students
• Parents are making extra efforts to prioritize education over other aspects of life. They are not only helping out in teaching the kids but taking extra care for greater involvement between teachers and students

Source : Remote learning initiatives - India Report Digital Education