In a dedicated effort to improve the quality of childhood in India, Raipur served as the dynamic backdrop for three-day workshop spanning from November 3rd to November 6th, 2023. This dynamic event brought together academic mentors from diverse backgrounds, converging their efforts on the dual fronts of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) alongside comprehensive training on Child Protection Policy. The primary aim of this training was to equip mentors with a comprehensive approach to ensure that children up to grade 3 acquire essential reading understanding and basic math skills. This initiative aimed to ensure that children learn to read in their early foundation stages, enabling them to read to learn as they grow and equip themselves with knowledge.

The workshop began with a warm welcome and introductions from mentors representing five districts. The event included a ceremonial lamp lighting by Rev. Fr. Vinod Anant, Director of Raipur Dioceses Social Welfare Society, followed by addresses from various programme associates and academic mentors. Mr. Joseph Mathew, the Project Lead of Khushaal Bachpan, delivered the inaugural address virtually. The mentors received an orientation on Khushaal Bachpan from State Programme Associate (SPA), and were briefed on their roles and responsibilities, along with the reporting procedures, followed by a brief discussion on the Children’s Day campaign. Following Mr. Joseph Mathew’s discussion on offering opportunities to children in the community, Anand Prakash, an academic mentor, expressed, “I’ve gained a deeper insight. Previously, I believed my role was solely about teaching children, but now I realize that I also need to create opportunities for them to learn.”

A virtual session on Child Protection Policy (CPP) was conducted by Child Protection Specialist, Sween Sharma covering the guidelines, best practices, and the importance of CPP, as well as how to handle various challenges in the field and whom to inform. The day concluded with an orientation on Family Development Plan (FDP), followed by an open discussion where mentors shared their field challenges, and solutions were provided by SPA and DPA’s (District Program Associates). Following the Child Protection Policy session, academic mentor, Jhamin Verma gained insights into how one should conduct themselves, particularly when interacting with children in Bal Chaupal or within the community. The session included focusing on the choice of language, appropriate actions, and reactions – which are often the overlooked aspects in the daily conducts. It also extended to understanding how to respond when incidents involving children arise, the proper procedures for handling the situation, and the importance of addressing such situations with care and sensitivity.

The second day began with a brief recap of the previous day’s activities. The primary focus for the remaining two days was on FLN training for the mentors to enhance their skills and knowledge for application in the field. A pre test on subjects- Hindi and Math was conducted for the mentors and DPAs by a resource person. The training included an action song (rhyme), foundational literacy methodologies for both subjects, group activities, pre-number concepts, number concept charts, motivational songs, rhymes, word activities, and presentations.
The last day of the workshop concentrated on the subject of English. The day began with a recap of the previous day’s activities and included name games, alphabet recognition, poems, action songs, songs, group work, and presentations. Mentors were encouraged to connect children with their own culture, customs, folk literature, food, health, folk dance, and songs. The emphasis was on making classes engaging and interactive for children through activities and action songs. It was stressed that using the local dialect and simple language with children during the initial periods is vital to making them feel comfortable.

During the training session, academic mentor Kiran Rathiya had a significant realization. The trainer displayed a quote in Telugu on the board, which none of the participants could understand since they were not familiar with the language. This experience led the trainer to convey a powerful message to the participants: it shows how children feel when presented with unfamiliar content on the board. Kiran expressed, “I used to simply teach, but now I make an effort to empathize with how the child feels.” She recognized that her teaching approach resembled traditional school methods, and this made her understand the importance of approaching children with sensitivity and understanding their state of mind.

In short, the three day workshop provided valuable foundational knowledge for all participants. The workshop covered essential concepts that will prove highly beneficial in remedial classes and contribute to more productive learning outcomes. This fundamental knowledge will also help in building individual children’s vocabulary and fostering their interest in subjects.

WAY FORWARD

It is crucial to sustain the momentum gained from the three-day workshop for academic mentors. Establishing a continuous learning platform, where mentors can share experiences, challenges, and successes is compulsory.

The Foundational Learning and Numeracy (FLN) component introduced in the workshop will play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of Khushaal Bachpan programme. Integrating FLN principles into the programme ensures a holistic approach to education. By focusing on foundational skills, the programme not only prepares children for higher-grade academic challenges but also enhances their overall cognitive development.

Looking ahead, the academic mentors have created an innovative pedagogical approach according to subjects like Hindi, Maths, English. This approach centres around creating a simplified learning process infused with enjoyable Teaching Learning Material (TLM) such as music, slogans, interactive charts, informative games, and more.