Rural school near Lonavala embraces e-learning with smart TVs, teacher training, and digital tools, bringing in animated and audio-visual lessons; with a population of just around 1200 villagers — primarily dependent on agriculture for income — the school boasts a 100 per cent literacy rate, which is an achievement in itself.
A yoga session at the school. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
With no chairs or a blackboard, a very basic sixty-year-old Jila Parishad Prathmik School in the village of Pimpaloli, situated between Lonavala and Pune, has taken what could be considered a giant step in the field of education by preparing to introduce e-learning on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day. With a population of just around 1200 villagers — primarily dependent on agriculture for income — the school boasts a 100 per cent literacy rate, which is an achievement in itself.
Shedding light on the development, School Principal Dashrath Gavde informed that their six classrooms have been readied for the change. The entire process began with training the school teachers on handling the software and developing the skills to effectively use apps and online resources on digital platforms. This includes uploading relevant software to television screens as well as students’ mobile phones, which will serve as a tool for revision.
Teachers alongside students during a school assembly
“The students are equally excited, as traditional teaching methods are now being replaced with animated and audio-visual content, making learning more fun,” Gavde said. He added that currently, 92 students are educated up to the VIII std, after which they must travel over 10km in a private school bus for higher studies. “Providing higher education facilities within the village is challenging, as the school is surrounded by residential homes. However, there could be scope for expanding vertically,” he said.
Being situated in a valley, travel during the monsoons can be quite a daunting task. “Our village was in the eye of the storm recently, when Cyclone Nisarg caused serious damage,” he added. Alumnus Siddharth Chaure, head of the school committee, recalled his days of sitting on a mat and writing on a slate. He said he had arranged for five smart TV screens at a total cost of Rs 60,000. The Jila Parishad and a villager contributed funds for two units, while the remaining were purchased by a few farmhouse owners. These will also serve as monitors for remote classes via the internet.
“We aim to partner with agencies to ensure that our students’ education is on par with some of the best schools. We are also planning a plantation drive by the students, so they remain connected to their roots,” he said. Jasbir Singh Gouri, a local resident and farmhouse owner who coordinated and personally supervised the purchase, confirmed that all the smart TV sets were delivered on Monday. “It was a wonderful feeling to witness the smiles on the children’s faces. Since the school also has a Balwadi (kindergarten), we purchased a few colourful cycles for the tiny tots, so they do not feel left out,” he said.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
