SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Sept 6: The Dumka school’s ‘Black Board’ model of teaching students on the street during the lockdown period by turning roadside clay walls of village’s houses into blackboards ensuring social distances would be displayed in New Delhi.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh has invited the principal of Dumka Dumarther primary school to display the model ‘Black Board’ in Delhi which has become centre of talk across the country for its teaching innovation.
Harivansh has also expressed his willingness to visit the school and take first hand view of teaching on the street through ‘Black Boards’ on walls of students’ houses while maintaining social distancing as well as Covid protocols.
“ In fact, Dumka Dumarther school’s ‘ Black Board’ model is a natural method of teaching kids. This innovation would show the path to society as well as a nation,” said the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman.
During the Corona pandemic, while all educational institutions were closed in the country in, Dumka tribal-dominated Dumarther Primary School did not close for a single day.
School principal Swapan Kumar and teachers with permission of concerned block development officer (BDO) and deputy commissioner, ran classes in the street of village making ‘Black Board’ on walls of students’ house.
Interestingly, all 356 students of primary school not only read through a self-made ‘ Black Board’ but also used self made chalk for writing, mat for sitting on street class and brooms for sweeping street.
Swapan Kumar said the village is backward and villagers are poor. Students are the first generation in village to go to school. Due to lockdown dropped out students would have disconnected from study. Either would have become child labour and Girl students got married.
“ Since they have no mobile, holding online classes could not be possible So I decided to hold classes on street making ‘Black Board’ on clay walls of students’ houses. Students made to sit on street while maintaining social distancing. Guardians of students also helped in it.”, said Swapan Kumar.
The School principal said besides learning English, math and other subjects, students are also being imparting skill training and they are making, chalk, mat , brooms and other item for use.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also appreciated the school for noble innovation in his Sunday ‘Manki Baat’ programme.
