We opened classes in November 2022 to find some children have migrated with parents for wage-labour mainly in Gujerat. Migration for work, festivals, visits to relatives, illness all have to be contended with in rural educational programmes. This gives rise to complex challenges in setting syllabus, timetable, fixing targets for learning in the government schools as well as supportive learning programmes as Jan Seva Mandal organizes. Language and cultural differences from the majority mainstream add to the complexity of organized formal learning. But it is our determination to pursue the cause of rural and Adivasi-Tribal education that keep us looking for solutions short and long term.
One cannot but admire perseverance of JSM teachers in the task of helping children learn. Admittedly the stipend is a strong incentive. But the stipend does not take care of their field and housework which takes up energy and time. One is happy to note that the Zilha Parishad teachers paid handsomely by the Govt. value the service of our JSM teachers and at times enlist their help. This cooperation benefits both the JSM tutorial-classes and the Govt. schools.
In the new term we are planning new teaching aids in the form of A-4 size coloured lamination cards which can be handled by individual children to revise what the JSM tutors explain from common display of the charts before the whole class. The photos give you a glimpse of the JSM teachers training using the text: Moving Ahead With English and the cards.
