Home schooling in COVID-19 times: Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava

Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:49:10 +0000

The vacations that would begin from May has started a way too early for students, thanks to Covid-19. Parents are anxious as the annual exams have been called off and all students from grade 1 to 8 are promoted to the next grade. Some feel that children will forget whatever they had learnt in this academic year and they would hardly study at home under their guidance. Most of the students come from areas where they live in small spaces. So this is another concern that they will not get an atmosphere to study at home.

Although SVPV Vidyalaya- a government aided school has all the facilities of online classroom, majority of students do not have the facilities of internet at home, or they do not have enough space where they can access the online platform of learning. So how do I ensure that students continue with their daily academic schedules ?

I had a brainstorming session with all my Vice Principal/supervisors and senior teachers and decided a framework, methodology and content that students from std 5 to 9 need to implement while at home during this period of forced vacations.

We all agreed that most of our students are weak in reading and writing skills which is the foundation of any fair academic learning outcome. We already have whatsapp groups of parents with class teachers of each standard. It was hence decided that teachers will upload home assignment of each subject each day as per pre decided time table with instructions. We also have told students to submit this work that they are going to do in a separate notebook when the school reopens. They have to daily read at least a page of textbook/storybook loudly and write at least one page in English, Gujrati, Marathi and Hindi each daily as per given assignments. We are sure that when students will receive these assignments on regular basis from their teachers, they will be serious about it and do at least this much daily. This will surely help them not to forget whatever they have learnt in school this year.

For junior college std 11 students, teachers are informed to upload assignments on our website and a text message is sent to students to continue to access the website and work accordingly. The std 9 and std 11 will appear for annual exams after school reopens and these assignments have to be submitted for internal marks when the college reopens.

Apart from this our teachers are forwarding several free content available on the internet for students that they can access in their free times. There is free availability of Tinkle and other books, stories, audios, and several educators have opened up their digital lessons to every one who is interested. We are educating our students about these free resources too.

I hope that this way students will be committed to their daily assignments and parents also can make them do the work given by teachers daily. Since internal marks are associated I’m sure it will be taken seriously by all.

Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava, Principal, SVPV VIDYALAYA and Shri T P Bhatia college of Science, Kandivli, Mumbai, Maharashtra

The fight against Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with steel plate and rolling pins

Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 11:36:34 +0000

Above audio is not just a simple audio or people removing their frustrations its the sound of the fight against Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with steel plate and rolling pins.

Background

Appreciation for the working force like doctors, police, electricity and water supplier.

Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Coronavirus – Shri T P Bhatia College of Science