Page 59 - EW August 2021

Ashok Rudra government primary schools in all 23 There is huge learning loss. Through
districts of West Bengal with special Lockdown Pathshala, our member
General Secretary, West Bengal attention to first generation learn- teachers have tried their best to
Trinamool Congress Primary ers/ children in backward districts reduce it. They have also addressed
Teachers’ Association such as Dooars, tea gardens of North mental health issues of children
Bengal, Sunderbans, tribal areas through story-telling sessions.
shok Rudra is of Jangal Mahal and Moreover, our teachers donated
assistant history shanties of Kolkata. part of their salaries to buy exercise
Ateacher at the books, pens and pencils for students.
Narsinghbandh Harijan What is the major focus Sports equipment such as footballs,
Free Primary School, of the Lockdown Path- badminton rackets and cricket bats
Asansol, and general shala? have also been distributed among
secretary of the West Children living in back- children to spread some cheer during
Bengal Trinamool ward and neglected this dark and depressing time.
Congress Primary areas of the state don’t Most notably, WBTMCPTA mem-
Teachers’ Association have access to Internet bers have donated Rs.4.15 crore to
(WBTMCPTA) which connectivity and digital the West Bengal state government’s
has a membership of devices. Therefore, education fund, specifically for
100,000. home visits apart, our programmes to bridge learning gaps
member teachers hold
Schools have been closed three classes per week of children enrolled in the state’s
for the past 15 months to check the in open spaces such as courtyards 92,000 government schools.
spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. What of houses, temple premises, gardens What are WBTMCPTA’s plans to deal with
if any, is WBTMCPTA’s contribution to the and parks. Thus far, we have reached pandemic disruptions?
learning continuity of children in govern- more than 1.3 million students We will continue to conduct classes
ment schools in West Bengal? through 1,000 teams of 50,000 in outdoor spaces for government
Immediately after the national teachers. In several districts where school children living in the state’s
lockdown was announced on March children can afford mobile phones backward areas until schools reopen.
24, 2020, we started our Lockdown and Internet connectivity, our teach- Our teachers are also trying to reach
Pathshala (school) at the behest ers conducted online classes. out to children in other remote areas
of former state education minister under the Lockdown Pathshala
Partha Chatterjee. WBTMCPTA What is the percentage of learning loss initiative to ensure no child is left
instructed teachers to pay home suffered by children? What are your behind.
visits to children enrolled in 60,000 remedial education plans?

AUGUST 2021 EDUCATIONWORLD 59