Gnana Dhaara to bridge learning gaps in schoolkids

Tirupati: In a bid to enhance the educational standards in the State, the government of AP has designed a novel programme ‘Gnana Dhaara’ to provide remedial coaching for academically backward students studying in government schools.

The programme is aimed at those students who are in need of additional support from teachers to fare well in various subjects based on the valuation of summative examinations in 2017-18.

The officials of education department have selected such students and organising special classes under ‘Gnana Dhaara’ programme for 13 days from May 28 to June 9 in all districts.

By participating in this residential programme, children will get required special training in languages, mathematics and science subjects while they enter the higher classes. It was designed for those students joining the 6th and 10th classes in June this year.

Apart from education, to make them physically fit to take up challenges they are also being trained in Yoga and physical exercises. Even entertainment programmes were being held.

By analysing the results of 2017-18 summative examinations, the officials found that among 9th standard students in the State, only 49 per cent have the required skills in mathematics whereas it was 53 per cent in science and 73 per cent in English.

Among 5th class students, 75,000 students have not fared well in mathematics, Telugu, English and environmental science. If the same trend continues, most of them may become dropouts. To avoid this, Gnana Dhaara programme was designed to provide basic skills and create awareness to them on important subjects.

Under this programme, teachers have to take special care on academically backward students by taking additional responsibility to enhance their skills. For 9th completed students, remedial coaching will be given in Maths, English and Sciences and for 5th completed students in Telugu, Maths, English and Environmental Science.

The programme will be of residential in nature and in Chittoor district 80 centres were identified like SC, ST, BC welfare hostels, KGBV schools, Model schools etc. and other places where residential facilities are there.

Selected faculty will participate in the programme in the allotted centres and special care has been taken in the selection process. “We have selected committed teachers and they have been doing remarkably well. There has been good response from the students also. The programme will be a great success,” said District Education Officer Dr K Panduranga Swamy.

Every day activities begin at 6 am with Yoga and physical literacy activities. Classes will commence at 8 am and continue till 12.45 pm and again they will be held from 2 pm to 4.30 pm.

Co-curricular activities will be held from 5 pm to 7.30 pm. After dinner, study hour will be conducted from 8.15 pm to 9.15 pm. In the classes, teachers have to deliver predesigned remedial contents. At the start of the programme, a test was conducted to the students to assess their understanding of the subjects.

After completion of the programme, another test will be held to assess their improvement. While, the programme is being held in all the districts only Chittoor and Anantapur have successfully enrolled more than 7,000 children for the programme. While in other districts the enrolment was between 2,000 and 3,000 students.

According to DEO Dr Swamy, the programme will continue even after reopening of schools as part of regular curriculum and a scheme will be drawn to accommodate it.