Ganjam Teachers Go Extra Mile To Teach Students Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Berhampur: When all the schools are closed in the State due to the Covid-19 induced norms, the teachers of a school in Ganjam district have taken a new initiative to ensure that the students do not miss out on their studies due to the pandemic.

The teachers of Utkalamani High School at Madhabandha under Chikiti block in the district are teaching students at their doorsteps during the lockdown.

“Most of the schools are providing online education. But many students are unable to attend the classes as they couldn’t afford a smartphone. In most of the families, four-five children are dependent on one smartphone. Besides, the poor network adds to their woes,” stated Sanjay Kumar Patra, the headmaster of the school.

“Every student has the right to education, and to ensure it our teachers are looking after their studies in their villages phase wise for the last seven months,” said Patra.

According to the locals, the teachers of the school teach every student at their doorstep for about two hours. Besides teaching them new lessons, they also clear their doubts and give them project work on specific subjects.

“We visit one village at least once or twice in a week. We have been teaching the students during summer vacation every year in the school campus since 2011. After the Covid-19 outbreak, we decided to teach our students by moving door to door,” said Krishna Beni, an assistant teacher of the school.

The students and parents are really happy with the teachers’ endeavour.

“The teachers are really great. They have stepped in to help students during a very crucial period. The door-to-door teaching has really helped our children a lot,” said Mamuni Sahu, a guardian.

The teachers are not only providing doorstep education, they are also spending money from their pocket to purchase notebooks and study materials and distribute those among the poor students.

“We are really fortunate to get guidance and doorstep teaching from our teachers during this difficult time. Because of their effort we are able to concentrate more on our studies,” said a student from Chikiti.

(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)