Globally, the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic has been felt in all spheres of life and no nation, rich or poor has been spared. Although the health impact remains the most discussed matter in the media, the impact of lost schooling and missed educational opportunities on young children remains largely unmeasured. Early stages of development have a long-term implication in the overall development of an individual and their attainment of adult potential. With schools closed, children, particularly young children from the disadvantaged background have disproportionately borne the adverse impact. Some form of restoration has been achieved by allowing the digital medium to be the vehicle of education and online classes have become a norm for some educational institutions. Although this strategy has benefited children with access to digital devices, those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds have suffered the dire consequences of a digital divide. This isolation has led to the worsening of the existing educational gap between children from richer and poor backgrounds, with some children showing signs of educational and developmental regression. Through the institution of digital learning rooms for disadvantaged children, CSCD is aiming to address this gap.
The project involves the use of digital social and communication technology-based learning strategies to promote literacy and numeracy skills in young children (4 - 7 years) from socioeconomic disadvantaged background with no access to digital technology. The project aims at creating a digital learning room in 2 centres (Baruipur and Sargachi, Eastern India). A variety of pedagogic styles will be used. These lessons are not intended at replacing the existing curriculum but to complement the same. Outcome assessment will involve exploring the feasibility of the intervention, learning experience and knowledge gain, benefits and barriers and propose a conceptual framework with the adoption of this new educational strategy
Information can make a difference
