Teachers’ Stories: India
Name
Jacqueline Bhattacharya
School
St. Vincent’s High and Technical School
Country
Asansol, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“There is potential for goodness even in the worst of times.
It is essential to prioritize our thoughts and actions wisely, how best to to respond, to and overcome our fears and obstacles that seem to loom large in front of us.
This pandemic has taken the world by surprise and shaken nations.
However, it is for the rest of us to take stock of the hour, and prepare for tomorrow as life goes on, and the world will keep turning in spite of everything, as will education.”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
- The school has taken the situation by the horns and surged forward with a new approach to education. Technology has saved the day with online classes, keeping students at home well in touch with their studies.
- Teachers have learned overnight to replace class room teaching with appliances and technology to keep up with academics, working from home, as have the students and their parents.
- The school has rehashed timetables and evaluation tests with self check answers to facilitate stress free and quality learning.
- Technology alone can never achieve the all round development of a child as it would in a school and classroom situation. However, subjects like Music, Art, Physical Education and Value education are included in our online teaching to benefit the students to their best capacity.
- Teachers are aided with Tata Edge, PowerPoint presentations, and available videos from YouTube to conduct meaningful lessons.
- Online video conference with the Principal and teachers keep us connected, informed and duly guided.
What challenges are there?
- Launching into online studies has required of the school system tremendous preparation in a very short time.
- Not all educators, students and parents are tech savvy.
- The economically disadvantaged and many others in question may not have been equipped for online education.
- It is a challenge to repair damaged appliances or buy required appliances in the face of the current lock down.
- The internet connection is sometimes faulty and interferes with smooth progress of lessons and communication.
- Lack of one to one interaction between teacher and student, student and students, and both with other staff and the Principal negates the personal touch and holistic development of the student.
- Further, there is no scope for essential school activities and extra and co curricular activities. Eg: Debates, various competitions, sports and exhibitions etc.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Students are in touch with their studies. There is greater scope for parents and children to interact, especially for working parents, who too are now working from home. Adopting and implementing technology in the educational system sooner than would have been otherwise. Surging into an era of technology, which has now become the new normal. Teachers actively engaging and contributing to the school’s outreach program to feed the marginalized section of society near us, and some feeding hungry stray dogs too. Though apart, it seems like we have come closer together in our endeavor to face a common cause. And as the earth heals, humans have begun to appreciate bluer skies, chirping birds, fresher air to breathe, as we ourselves have time to introspect and become more spiritual, compassionate towards the suffering, more appreciative of our earth, and finally, pausing to live and appreciate the important things in life.
Name
Rashis Gupta
School
St Johns High School
Country
India
What is your message to the global educational community?
Never lose hope or give up! keep on adapting and keep up the spirits of your students.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
St Johns has quickly adapted itself to the new circumstances. we are offering online creative lessons to our boys everyday. we are using various platforms to offer learning solutions to our students.
What challenges are there?
- Internet connectivity can be an issue for some students and teachers. also some students are not familiar with this type of learning so may take some time to adapt.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Schools should open soon, even if it takes time, we will carry on offering our best in whichever way we can.
Name
Japjit Sabharwal
School
St. Vincent’s High and Technical School
Country
Asansol, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. In the midst of this conundrum, it is necessary for us to stay connected and co-ordinate with each other to enrich the mutual growth process.
In these testing times, it is necessary to refrain from all negativity and keep the flame of faith and hope burning for these clouds of gloom will dissipate soon and the world will shine in cosmic glory.
The present scenario came as an emergency which threw us overboard as we tried to find measures to tide over the turbulence. Hence, I feel that we should keep ourselves abreast with the latest evolvements and developments so that we may be fortified to fight any battle in the future. “
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
Teaching had always been challenging but now it has assumed magnanimous proportions amid these adverse times. However, there is no stopping the educators and these difficult times have led us to explore diverse resources and possibilities to keep the teaching learning process ongoing. Technology has now come to our rescue and virtual classes have been introduced with the help of applications like Class Dojo, Watsapp, Zoom, WebEx which have enabled us to share videos, images and also conduct live online classes for the benefit of our students. Interdepartmental faculty meetings have helped to keep us connected and provided clarity in regards to mode of action.
What challenges are there?
- Online classes is a new concept for us and it takes time to adapt and master it.
- Many children belong to the economically challenged group and technological access for them becomes difficult.
- Technical glitches like poor connectivity, poor audio-video receptions do occur which are a hindrance to the smooth functioning of the teaching process.
- Absence of one to one interaction with teachers and peers alike, which, is the essence of the teaching process.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Many teachers who were hitherto unfamiliar with technology, have come out of their comfort zones and ventured into unknown terrains, thus developing technical skills.
Family bonds have strengthened, understanding and compatibility has increased as family members spend quality time with each other.
Many have discovered latent talents which had never been acknowledged by self and others alike.
There has been a close interplay of the three goals of Edmund rice education that is Presence, Compassion and Liberation in the self growth of individuals. Being Present for each other, showing Compassion and empathy to fellow humans and Liberating ourselves from our own limitations and uplifting others.
Name
Arundhati Dutta
School
St.Vincents’ High & Technical School
Country
Asansol, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
We are living in unusual times, a tiny virus ….the size so small that we can’t fathom has brought us to our toes and have arrested almost everything on this planet. But not learning…learning can never stop. Schools all over have forged ahead and taken up the challenge in the best interest of the students. One can never replace the one to one interaction but we are going to make the best of what is available and make it work. Because it is always better to use a candle than curse the darkness.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
Our school spearheaded with online classes and started the new academic session in the virtual format. We are teaching via Class Dojo ,sharing text, pictures, pre-recorded videos and useful links. Students upload their work which is checked and approved by the concerned teachers. We are taking practice test too. Live classes through WebEx are also being conducted for senior classes lately. Teachers are well connected with each other through Zoom meetings and con-calls to address any issue.
What challenges are there?
- Not all parents are tech savvy and some do not have access to digital devices.
- Holistic education has been curtailed.
- Internet speed and connectivity is sometimes a problem.
- Technical glitches are a part of it.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Hope and positive attitude are the only two things which inspire mankind to live and progress. With this resolve we shall defeat this pandemic and flourish again. All we need to do is come together and keep faith and to quote the Persian adage ‘this too shall pass’.
Name
Mithu Pal
School
St. Joseph’s College
Country
Bow Bazar Kolkata, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
Join hands. Make every effort to leave no one behind. Focus on holistic rather than bookish learning. To remember that marks do not make a person- the ability to use learning for common good is the aim of learning. To use teaching as a means of giving hope, extending love and care to students and their families.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
The school is trying to reach out to students:
- With lessons in document, audio and ppt formats – resources made by the teachers
- Asking students of to join classes conducted by Council For Indian Secondary Certificate Examinations on television: for classes 9 to 12 aired on channel ABP Ananda; and classes 3 to 8 aired on News 18 Bangla
- Sharing CISCE’s effort at fitness and encouraging them to join
- Sharing email id of the school counselor and phone numbers of counselors from all over India for parents to contact should any student need help
- Sharing Covid-19 related information and safety measures from vetted sources.
- Sharing activities to help fill up leisure time with safe, creative and constructive activities. “
What challenges are there?
- Ensuring that no one is left behind.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Parents are appreciating the efforts made till now and sharing concerns.
To keep up with the promise of improving the experience, school is working with the suggestions sent by parents.
Name
Nidhi Saxena
School
St.John’s High School
Country
Chandigarh, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
St.John’s school motto is PRO DEO ET PATRIA which means FOR GOD AND FOR COUNTRY.Im truely blessed to be a part of this institution and global community as we our following the calling of our founder Blessed Br. Edmund Ignatius Rice by serving the mankind and educating the future of our country.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
A new perspective of teaching our boys.PPT worksheets assignment and answer keys for the boys makes it very interesting for students and their families and teachers.Whatapp for queries and tips to make the lessons fruitful.Interacting through mails helps to know each child in depth and better.Even the parent teacher interaction is stronger.
What challenges are there?
- First attempt to make ppt and e class was a challenge but learning at every age is fun.Taking help from youngsters in family was entertaining for both. Lockdown has stopped life but not teachers.Education is still the first priority for me.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Positive thoughts bring positive vibes.Better and stronger bonding with students and our own families.Family has realised how dedicated I’m to my calling.Its not just my profession to be a teacher but a passion being one.Taking pride in my job.
Name
Afrooza Begum
School
St. Edmund’s School
Country
Shillong, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
Teaching and learning never stops. Education is not just teaching children the topics from their text books. In the present scenario, I think we have to teach our children how to deal with a crisis situation as this and at the same help them to grow as an individual.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
WhatsApp, Snaphomework, Youtube links, live online classes through Jisti meet, Screen recorder to record computer screen, google forms to create questionnaires.
What challenges are there?
- Many teachers are not not tech savvy.
- We can’t keep track of whether students are understanding the explanation or if they are doing the work given to them
- All students may not be able to understand materials sent to them
- Interaction with students is quite less
- Evaluation process is quite challenging
Where do you see signs of hope?
Students are learning “self study” which has become rare at present as they usually go for tuitions to complete their homework and to prepare for examinations. Both teachers and students are exploring new methods of teaching-learning process. Those who thought they are technologically challenged are learning it as its the need of the hour.
Name
Edwin John L D Gama
School
St. Joseph’s College Nainital
Country
Uttarakhand, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
These are tough and testing times. As teachers we should be happy and make giving quality education with the limited resources we have to make do with. After we have to prepare the pupils under our care to be strong global citizens.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
We are a day cum boarding school. The boarders have gone just before the lockdown. The district of Nainital is on full lockdown. We have online classes going on using app’s like WhatsApp, zoom, Franciscan E Care solutions E care.
What challenges are there?
- The biggest challenge is network connectivity since NAINITAL is city a in the hills. Workers to rectify the fault is a problem.
Where do you see signs of hope?
The support of the head of the school Br. H. Pinto, Principal. The teachers cooperation and the most important the parents and students who are supportive and understanding.
Name
Mridula Sharma
School
St . John’ s High School
Country
India
What is your message to the global educational community?
Inspite of adversity, the academic curriculum is being covered and our school is reaching out to each and every child at the remotest corner and trying to establish a reassuring environment of familiarity under the able guidance and unconditional support from our Principal Mrs Kavita Das.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
Learning in school has taken in a new dimension where different on line tools are being used to expand and enhance the students interpretation of learning. We are sending the students on line reading material in the form of CLIP SEGMENT book which is a creative work of our dedicated staff along with worksheets , ppts with answer key every week which is designed in the form of PROJECTED SYLLABUS
What challenges are there?
- Total dependence on technology and no scope of personal interaction. We cannot understand the mental make up of the child . We as facilitators have to upgrade ourselves in technology with the present time.
Where do you see signs of hope?
As it is a period of LOCKDOWN….. we have time to learn new skills and also develop our hobbies . It is also the time where as humans we need to self reflect ourselves… to learn from our mistakes, to enhance our knowledge, to make our lessons more creative and application based so that our future generations can serve the Mother Earth by helping the needy and oppressed in the best possible ways and be grateful to Almighty God for His bountiful blessings . Make the most of opportunities available to us forge ahead and never give up . When life changes to be harder ….. we need to change ourselves to be stronger.
Name
Vikas Joseph Gaitano
School
St. Vincent’s High and Technical School, Asansol.
Country
India
What is your message to the global educational community?
Needless to say, the pandemic has transformed the centuries-old, classroom teaching model to one driven by technology. We are compelled to use virtual classrooms and various online educational applications today that enables us to make the engagement between the teacher and students as close to a real, in classroom type experience, as far as possible and living up to the values taught by our founder Blessed Edmund Rice.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
“The Lockdown due to the Novel Coronavirus posed a challenge of how to maintain the continuity of teaching and learning process. But our school administration was proactive in taking all the steps necessary for conducting online classes. We adopted the Classdojo application through which we could post audio-visual lessons, setup assignments for students and even approve their submitted assignments periodically. The Senior classes are also having interactive Live classes through the video conferencing application Cisco Webex meeting. Our Smart Class provider Tata Class Edge has also been very helpful in providing educational content and resources which the teachers share with the students during the Live classroom sessions.”
What challenges are there?
- So, as we educators grapple with the new ways of communicating with our students away from our classrooms it has left the teachers and students with a number of challenges like Connectivity issues especially for students residing in the outskirts of the City. Secondly not all teachers are Tech savvy and have the equipments required for Live classes. Lastly, it is still a challenge for the underprivileged children and students with special needs to cope up with this new way of learning.
Where do you see signs of hope?
So far the response from both the students and the parents has been very gratifying. Even the teachers seem to take a keen interest in preparing these online lessons and conducting Live Classes with the same fervour as in a traditional classroom. Though we are still struggling to fight against this Pandemic but on the Educational front we still seem to be in control.
Name
Natasha Sehgal
School
St Columba’s School
Country
New Delhi, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
Be patient. Keep reading. Stay calm.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
Learning seems like a challenge at the moment. Teachers are making blogs for their subjects. Using apps like google meet, google forms (assessment) etc.
What challenges are there?
- Parents themselves are too busy to get work done given by the teachers. Many don’t have smart phones, some don’t have access to internet , others are not educated enough to handle the subject at higher classes.
Where do you see signs of hope?
All of us our trying to do our best. That’s the hope.
Name
Kavita C. Das
School
St. John’s High School
Location
India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“There is a very important lesson to be learnt from this terrible disaster… One of respecting our world and working with God’s love and compassion. We must also not give up, as every cloud has a silver lining and every bit of work that we are doing in our capacities is going to make a difference. Life has become quite mundane and at this time when we are all locked up inside our homes, it is our reaching out to children, to those less fortunate, and to each other that is still keeping us all connected and giving each other strength and hope. The difficult times teach a lot and help us to grow into better human beings. My prayer is that we shall come out of it as better, more selfless, empathetic and responsible beings.”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
I am extremely grateful to my school community who is working tirelessly from home in this time of despair. All the lessons being sent are inter-disciplinary in nature and are also related to/connected with relevant UN Sustainable Goals, Human rights and Child rights as well as Values and Duties as per the Indian Constitution. PPTs are being sent for the non academic subjects as well, like Music, Visual arts, Life Skills, Value Education. Physical Education and Dance, so that the kids are not only focusing on academics but are also able to take their minds off academics and do something creative. Technology is coming in handy at this time as our teachers are conducting e-classes, and are also preparing and posting interesting, activity oriented, visual Power Point Presentations on every chapter along with supporting question banks and worksheets for the kids to practice. Teachers have been trained to conduct online classes and they are successfully conducting the e-classes. Teachers are also planning on giving creative holiday homework this time wherein children will be required to create/make something which is made out of the material available at home like an eco friendly planter, a face mask from an old piece of cloth, a file folder from used paper etc.
What challenges are there?
One of the biggest challenges we are facing is reaching out to the children from the economically disadvantaged group. A lot of these children do not have internet facilities, smartphones or any other medium through which the presentations and other material can be sent. Thus we are unable to get them on board for the ongoing e-classes. However, we do have a Foster Parent Programme wherein every teacher is the Foster mother/father of 2 to 3 of the Economically Disadvantaged children. They are in touch with their children and help them as much as possible over the phone. We also ensure all their needs are met in terms of provisions, medical aid and even counselling, if needed.
Where do you see signs of hope?
The Brothers, the school and the alumni have got together and are working towards equipping hospitals with Hazmat suits, masks and medical equipment. Staff and alumni are working in community kitchens to feed the unemployed. Many of our kids are feeding stray animals on a regular basis. The Administration has ensured that milk, vegetables and essential supplies are being delivered to the doorstep. They help us with delivering provisions to our economically challenged children’s homes. The messages and emails of parents thanking our staff for working relentlessly during this time and preparing lessons for children to keep them productively occupied; serves as a motivation for all of us. This gives us a lot of encouragement and hope that somewhere we are doing something right and it will help our children.
The only Hope in this time are the prayers and the unity among people to fight the battle together as ONE.
Name
Rina Dutta
School
St. Patrick’s H.S. School
Location
Asansol, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“We have to remind ourselves that as educators… We not only TEACH, we touch the FUTURE!”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
We believe that the best part of teaching is that it matters but the most difficult part of teaching is that it matters every day. The sudden closure of schools for an uncertain period has facilitated the introduction of the virtual classroom.We are striving at giving online teaching a new dimension with the use of the app CLASS DOJO ,which we found to be an effective blend of classroom activities and interactive multimedia demonstrations, comprising, teaching, assignments, submission, evaluation and feedback for students ranging from Kindergarten to the Higher Secondary level,covering all subjects.
Besides the regular online classes posted through the application, live online classes have also been initiated for the students of classes 9 and 12, which are more interactive in nature with an access to resource material provided by our education partner in our regular classroom teaching in school, TATA CLASS EDGE.
What challenges are there?
- The greatest challenge is the absence of one to one physical interaction with our students which forms the essence of classroom teaching and learning.
- Apart from this, a greater dependence on technology to deal with the greatest human resource of the world, our students, often lacks the personal touch, motivation, warmth and care that makes the big difference in the greater picture of moulding minds and shaping lives.
Where do you see signs of hope?
It cannot be denied that a virtual classroom can never be a substitute for classroom teaching and learning.Having said that, we have to put our best foot forward, using the forefronts of technology,to serve the student community better. We cannot go back and change the beginning but we can certainly start where we are, with what we have and change the ending. It is in our efforts and commitment to the vocation that we have chosen, that we we see the hope of emerging stronger on the other side of the crisis, at hand.
Name
Amrit Sharma
School
St. John’s High School
Location
Chandigarh, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“Keep your hopes high and your energies positive. Do not fill your mind with anything that is negative. As whatever you feel, speak and think, shall surely be sent as your thoughts and energies your children can easily sense. So take this time. Not as a period of lockdown BUT AS A SABBATICAL and try to learn new things as much as possible. Take these times as an opportunity to reflect and grow and this can only be done if you step out of the old normal flow. It’s a chance to improve our ways of facilitation. And keep teaching our children with same love and compassion.”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
Teaching learning process even in these times of lockdown is SO JOYFUL 😊. It again proves the fact that learning is not confined to the four walls of the school. Hence these changing times had helped the students and teachers develop a new set of skills.
As a facilitator, I got this amazing opportunity learn the use of technology for education (which I would,’t have learnt otherwise). So I learnt How to use Zoom, Skype, Sanako and all these platforms have helped me a great deal in making my lessons very interesting.
Features on all these platforms have helped me use Videos and revolve my teaching methods around those videos.
Sharing of reading material with my kids (but short reading material) have also helped in enhancing their comprehensions skills. Each student read their portion and then all of us contribute our view points around the content read.
I am a social justice animator too and Education technology has made my way so easy to rope in teaching of Un goals,Child rights and human rights in my content.
I keep attending webinars and encourage my colleagues and my students to watch the same.
Technology demands us to be very creative to involve students.
What challenges are there?
- There is a shift which demands us to build new set of skills but that’s how life is.
- Taking my kids in confidence and asking for their support when I got stuck during a lesson and they were so happy to help me.
- Online teaching takes time and it’s a learning process.
- Challenge was to send material, to compile videos, compile audios, take attendance etc. But assigning one role to each child helped me overcome this challenge.
- Challenge is to be ATTENTIVE THROUGHOUT THE LESSON and also keep monitoring the kids by looking at their mics, audio buttons, their messages.
- The biggest challenge is to build a connection with a child who has never been taught by you.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Signs of hope lie in the way we take this time… as a forced period of lockdown or as a learning opportunity.
Name
Br. Solomon Morris
School
St. Edmund’s School
Location
India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“There is no substitute for Teacher Interface and Teacher Empathy.”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
Very challenging. Platforms used are Snap Homework, Google classrooms, Zoom and WhatsApp.
What challenges are there?
Biggest challenge is that some of our children are not able to get access to the online classes. Reasons: poor network connection because of location; family has only one phone for use; some kids misuse so restrictions follow; children miss the feedback and real time interaction with teachers and fellow peers; no opportunity to check their work; kids get bored easily; restless as they lack physical outlet.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Teachers have learned to use technology; teaching ways have changed; children learn to study independently; families have come closer; sense of hygiene has improved; caring for the earth and keeping it clean and pollution free has become the priority now; people are becoming aware of others who don’t have the resources and therefore learn to share.
Name
Br Placid Enriques
School
St. Mary’s Orphanage and Day School
Location
Dum Dum, Kolkata, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“Life is not going to be the same after this experience. Let’s learn how do handle difficult life situations and overcome crisis, no matter how difficult. This will give a greater resilience and help us to handle more difficult crises..Let’s learn to be creative and innovative in our teaching-learning processes.”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
The lockdown began just a couple of days before the new academic year was to begin. So, we had to think of creative and different ways of keeping in touch with the children and parents. Fortunately, we have a website Snapworks which is utilized for sending notices and homework for the students. This is being used for our Online Teaching reaching to most of the students. The headmistress along with the coordinators have got the teachers to reach out to the students in doing assignments and projects.
What challenges are there?
- The challenges are always there, especially for the students who do not have access to technology.
- Difficult to get an interactive session in this method of teaching.
Where do you see signs of hope?
I see besides the online teaching, children getting an opportunity to learn ‘other’ skills so critically needed to develop more a holistic approach to their growth. More time with parents and siblings… closer bonding.
Name
Sangita Shah
School
St. Patrick’s Higher Secondary School, Asansol
Location
India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“Stay strong, stay connected with students and other teachers, and be creative in constantly experimenting with new ideas to make the most of this time and keeping students engaged. It is very important to keep seeking ways to keep yourself motivated and stay positive. This would imply moving out of your comfort zone at times and investing in yourself, which is great for self development.”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
Our school had shifted to online classes at the start of the term itself, back in late March. We’ve been sharing pre-recorded videos with students, as well as conducting live online classes via platforms like Zoom and Webex. We will also now be extensively leveraging virtual classrooms and using interactive digital whiteboards – a capability the school had invested in some years back.
What challenges are there?
- Coping with technology for teachers hitherto used to the traditional classroom format has definitely been a challenge.
- While the virtual format is working better than expected, technical challenges like connectivity at times persist.
- It is also challenging to keep the students engaged and build a personal connect with them in the absence of physical presence.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Both students and teachers are quickly adapting to the new normal which is very heartening. As familiarity with digital solutions evolves, both teachers and students will get more creative to mimic normal school activities, e.g. virtual rooms for doubt clearing sessions, virtual group activities etc. I believe there is hope that these challenging times will present an opportunity for us to find new ways of working while spending more time with family.
Name
Nigel Michael D’Souza
School
St. Patrick’s School
Location
Asansol, West Bengal, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
“These unprecedented times have been unable to halt the teaching-learning process because of the indomitable spirit of educators, students and parents the world over.Kudos to them. Teachers have innovated and adapted to ensure that students do not lose out. This never say die attitude is the common thread that binds teachers around the globe and is very encouraging. Congratulations to the global educational community. Keep up the good work!”
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
In these unprecedented times, our school has resorted to online teaching. We are using class dojo wherein teachers are able to post lessons in the form of text , photos or videos. Children do the work assigned to them and then submit the same online. Teachers go through their work and then approve the same. They also post positive comments to encourage the students. Apart from academics teachers also share inspiring videos and songs. Year 10 and 12 students have live classes as well, conducted through Cisco webex meetings. These classes are very engaging. Teachers also have their own YouTube channels wherein they are able to upload videos that they have made. Teachers and students also have access to online resources available at Tata class edge.
What challenges are there?
- Online teaching is completely new to us. Initially teachers and parents were a bit apprehensive… not so much the students. The kids were excited.
- We held a few training sessions online to familiarize the teachers with the new system.
- We set up support groups that teachers could reach out to in times of difficulty.
- Stable Network connectivity is also an issue.
- However things are on a roll and everyone seems to be enjoying this new experience.
- Staff meetings are also conducted online to periodically assess our progress and more importantly to keep in touch.
Where do you see signs of hope?
Teachers and students alike are very enthusiastic and open to new technologies.
Students are regular in submitting their assignments. These are signs of hope for a school community. The wheels of the teaching- learning process have been kept in motion. The collaborative efforts, and commitment of teachers, students and parents are great signs of hope.
Name
Ruben Bose
School
St. Patrick’s H. S. School
Location
Asansol, West Bengal, India
What is your message to the global educational community?
We are travelling uncharted waters, but we will adapt and create as we move along. This crisis will turn out to be an opportunity for many to excel.
What does learning looks like for your school community at this time?
One of the major factors helping us at St Patrick’s HS School today is that we have a wonderful backup system. Our system of Interactive Classrooms has now been redesigned to create virtual classrooms which help, to a great extent, our online courses. The present generation of learners, being gadget and technology savvy, have no problem in adapting and adjusting to the situation. Learning, in no way, has slowed down.
What challenges are there?
- This situation may last a considerable period of time.
- As a school community we need to adapt to the new plans we make as we move ahead, but stick to our key goals and principles.
- Also, in India, financial constraints may hinder progress in some cases.
Where do you see signs of hope?
The world has weathered many difficulties, including World Wars, famines, epidemics and depressions. But through all education does not stop, nor does it slow down. We will emerge stronger through this test.