Connecting virtually during lockdown – PTMs go digital in rural India

June, 2020: The nationwide lockdown may have resulted in a physical disconnect but has opened a new window of opportunities for all of us to make connections with each other on digital platforms. While it may be an everyday scenario for many of us, in remote areas, it has acted as a new wave of technological advancement.

To stay connected with the students, the education system has been taking many initiatives. However, there is one aspect of the virtual connect that is often neglected i.e., connecting with the parents of the children. Bharti foundation, taking the same into consideration, has been organizing online PTMs for the parents of the students studying in our partner Government Schools.

Recently, class-wise PTMs were hosted in our partner Government schools in Himachal Pradesh. These PTMs bring the students, their parents, the teachers and the head teachers at the same platform and help them in keeping informed and getting more involved in the on-going activities. The meetings are specifically designed to create a better understanding and connect between parents and teachers as well as overcoming any doubts regarding the online studies.

Apart from the discussion about curriculum, other crucial information, that is imperative for parents to know, is also shared. This also includes discussions on different useful apps such as Aarogya Setu, Sawayam Siddham Portal, etc. Parents are also given detailed information about the on-going and upcoming initiatives by the School such as Har Ghar Pathshala, virtual admissions, online co-curricular participations, digital education during lockdown, and so on and so forth. A crucial part of these discussions also include the challenges of virtual education and tips & tricks on tackling these day-to-day hurdles.

The meeting conclude with a feedback session from the parents which creates a further room for improvement. The parents of these students believe that these meetings are very fruitful and are deeply appreciated since they feel completely involved in their child’s education.