Education service for the unreached

By M L Satyan

Bengaluru, July 2, 2023: I had an opportunity to conduct training for teachers in three Catholic schools under the diocese of Daltonganj in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand June 12-21 — Peter’s English Medium School, Barikhajuri (Garhwa district), St. Claret School, Barwadih (Latehar district) and Deepti Niketan School, Nawadih (Palamu district).

The first two schools are run by the Claretian congregation and the third school is run by Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary (SCJM) congregation. These schools are located in remote areas and their students belong to tribal and other backward communities.

What is the socioeconomic scenario? The official website of Jharkhand state government mentions that 32 scheduled tribes live in the state. As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 76 percent households are in the rural area and about 30 percent belong to scheduled tribes.

As per “Analysis of Yojana Magazine (July-2022) – the tribals in Jharkhand” face the following challenges:
 The socioeconomic condition of families of STs in Jharkhand is not at par with that of other families and there is a need for critical attention of the government for furthering the welfare of the STs of Jharkhand.
 Schedule Tribes households lag in aspects such as pucca houses, electricity, health and drinking water facilities.
 The non-existence of proper toilet facilities in the houses is reflective of their socio-economic situation.
 Pre-schooling of children and school attendance of school-going children are also very low.
 Malnutrition and undernourishment are major causes of concern with respect to tribal children in Jharkhand.
 Prevalence of Naxals and law and order problems are crucial challenges to tribals in Jharkhand.

What is the literacy scenario in the area? The 2011 census puts the average literacy in these three districts at 51 percent. The India census.net (2023) says the literacy rate is 63.63 percent in Palamu district, 60.33 percent in Garhwa district and 59.51 percent in Latehar district.

The Christian missionaries have contributed quite a lot in the education sector throughout Jharkhand state. With great commitment the Claretian congregation and the SCJM sisters work in these areas to provide quality education.

The theme of the training/orientation was “Education for Nation Building.” The following topics were covered during the training for teachers:
• Positive aspects of the country
• Life filled with contradictions
• Valueless situation
• SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat) Analysis of the education system
• Education Scenario
• Problem-solving method of education
• The situation of girl children in India
• Children’s rights
• How to convert Rights into Realities
• Basic introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Threat to Secularism
• Media Management
• Positive Thinking
• Leadership qualities
• The role of a teacher
• Team building

The group dynamics used were power-point presentations, songs, documentary films, games, individual and group exercises in order to focus on the above topics and also to bring out the views of the participants. The training helped the teachers to understand the importance of their teaching profession, the objective of education and the leadership role they need to play. Through their written evaluation all the participants expressed their satisfaction on the usefulness of the training. They also have suggested this type of training every year.

A short orientation on the same theme was conducted in St. Peter’s English Medium School and Deepti Niketan School for the students in 8, 9 and 10 grades. The following topics were covered:
 Positive aspects of India
 Valueless situation
 Education scenario
 Problem-solving method of education
 Positive Thinking
 Five paths for personal transformation (5 simple exercises practised in individual life)

The emphasis was on character building and personal transformation. The students took a resolution that they will follow the five paths in their daily life.

It is quite unfortunate that today’s education system is like a banking method. Teachers regularly deposit quite a lot of information on various subjects in the minds of the students. From time to time, they withdraw such information by conducting tests and examinations. After the withdrawal, very little information remains in the minds of the students. In other words, once the withdrawal is done the balance becomes less or zero. Today students study only for examinations and this exam-oriented education does not help them grow properly.

What we need today is a problem-solving method. This method contains a “3-H Formula”. The first H stands for Head. It means that education must give knowledge to students on various subjects. It must go one step further. The second H stands for Heart. Education must create awareness in the students on various social, economic, religious and political issues in the society. Rather, every burning issue must touch the hearts of the students and help them become sensitive. The third H stands for Hands. It means that the awakened students must reach out to society and build it. Ultimately every educated student must contribute constructively to nation-building.

In education a teacher has a crucial role. One characteristic could be attached to each letter of the word Teacher:

T = Tell the truth always. Give correct information and facts to students.
E = Enroll the excluded students (Inclusion). Every child has Right to Education
A = Approachable, Accessible and Available – Ensure “Easy Entry Procedure” to meet the students and parents/guardians. Be available to them.
C = Concern and Care. Students come from varied family backgrounds. Hence understand them and handle them with utmost care. How you make them feel is very important.
H = Helping tendency. Play the roles of a father, mother, guide and mentor. Timely help will facilitate the holistic growth of the students.
E = Encourage every student. Every word of encouragement or appreciation will
take the student a long way.
R = Recognize the individuality. Every student is unique and hence the uniqueness is to be recognized, respected and encouraged.

Other tips for teachers:
 Education (root word EDUCARE) means drawing out the hidden talents and abilities. Hence, draw out the best in every student.
 Future Statesmen, Police, Officials, Scientists, Engineers, Doctors, Business tycoons and great persons like Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Mother Theresa and Rabindranath Tagore are in the classroom.
 The students are not “USELESS”. But they are “USED LESS”.
 Covert school into a centre of wisdom and knowledge.
 Help students to have a Vision rather than Ambition.
 Have a dream for your students.

The three schools that I visited are providing commendable service to students. In fact, the Claretian congregation and the SCJM sisters have reached out to the unreached through education. May their education mission enable students to prepare themselves for nation-building.