Quality Education and Gender Equality group
Around 2010, EWB-India was engaged in providing infrastructure support to NGOs serving economically weaker sections of society and to government schools. These included toilets for girls, installation of plants to provide drinking water, providing beds in dormitories etc. During discussions with Chairman EWB-India, principals of schools mentioned that they faced a shortage of well-qualified and trained teachers to teach various subjects.
It was not practical for EWB-India to provide so many teachers to the schools. Also, it would have created legal and other issues in the government run schools. That is when the idea of an e-Learning center in the school came up. The concept is to provide a classroom with facilities for accessing courses online. The classroom is furnished with a computer, a projection screen, a projector, speakers and internet connection along with access to some online courses as per the syllabus of the local Board of Education.
The first eLearning center was established in 2011 in Zila Parishad High School near Krushi Home, Gowdavally village, Hyderabad. Its benefit can be assessed by the fact that it is still in operation and in use. The eLearning center gave a quantum improvement in learning for the students as well as the teachers. It was, therefore, a very welcome addition to the school.
The first few eLearning centers were established by the Hyderabad Chapter of EWB-India and the success was replicated by other chapters. Over the years, more than 120 eLearning centers have been set up in four States in India with the maximum number set up by the Hyderabad chapter.
Schools are now aware that EWB-India is setting up eLearning centers and they approach us. They are required to fill up and submit a form giving details of their student strength, gender mix, a suitable room etc. The applications are scrutinized by a committee of concerned EWB-India Professional Chapter and schools are selected and prioritized based on where eLearning center will have maximum impact. For example, applications received from small private schools, schools with very few students or not having required infrastructure are rejected.
The room provided by the school is renovated – civil repairs, fan, curtains, new desks etc. One PC, inverter for power supply, projector, speakers, screen etc. are provided. The computers are loaded with course material in digital format provided free of charge by local NGOs eg – Pravinya in Hyderabad, who mainly provide this in rural govt. schools. English course material is paid for by EWB-India. Pravinya has a training centre and 2-3 teachers from the selected school are sponsored for 1-2 days training there by EWB-India by paying local conveyance, lunch expenses etc. Some students from the GITAM University Student Chapter, Hyderabad, also attended this course as they assist the schools in utilizing the eLearning centers. One eLearning center has been set up at MJCET college in Hyderabad so that its Student Chapter can also help in training the teachers in the schools. Pravinya keeps in touch with schools regarding the content of the digital courses, training of new teachers etc.
The following is arranged by EWB-India:
Cost is about Indian Rupees 3,75,000(approx. USD 4580) for each eLearning center. In some cases, annual internet service charges are also paid for 2-3 years by EWB-India.
The 1st eLearning center was inaugurated in Godavalli village and continues to be the best center till date. The school was adjudged no.1 in the state and the principals credit it to the eLearning center being set up there. The school has earned national level recognition too.
Some centers face problems like speakers not working, virus affecting the computer (they download a lot of stuff and get affected by viruses). When they do not get timely or adequate support from the EWB team, their centers become inoperative.
Students from GITAM, CBIT and MJCET Student Chapters are contributing their efforts in setting up and sustaining eLearning centers in Hyderabad.
From 2012, 4 students come every year from University of Connecticut (UCONN), USA, to Hyderabad for 6-8 weeks during their summer break. They interact with and inspire teachers and students in online learning. They also take up other projects in schools like building playgrounds etc.
Taking an average of 100 students using the eLearning center at each school, about 100000 students are benefitted every year through 120 such centers. The eLearning centers have improved the quality of education in these schools and the results in examinations have significantly improved. A few students were able to get admission to engineering colleges with their better scores in entrance tests. On passing out, a couple of them were employed by some donors to EWB-India.
