Page 11 - 10X GOOD Issue 17 October

a month, she engaged the children with interactive
lessons in Telugu, English, and Maths, using storytelling,
number games, puzzles, and arts and crafts to make
learning fun. She observed that about seventeen
children showed a significant improvement and were
expressing themselves better now.

PRERNA MITRAS: ©UNICEF “Seeing the kids confidently introduce themselves
in English was a proud moment,” Jami recalls. This
University students, as ‘Prerna Mitras,’ serve as advisors and
experience helped the children and enhanced her
friends to children in government schools.
communication and time management skills.
Creating easy ways experiment is quietly taking shape, changing how At the core of LIP is a pressing issue that haunts
children learn. The Learning Improvement Program
classrooms across the state of Andhra Pradesh and, in
(LIP), introduced in 2023 by the state government,
fact, in several other states in India: a ‘learning crisis’
is reshaping education by creating a bridge between
of teaching in school learning and higher education by enhancing the that begins at the primary or foundational level. Too
many children struggle to grasp Foundational Literacy
foundational skills of primary school students to boost
and Numeracy (FLN) skills in their early years, leaving
their academic growth and development.
them behind as the curriculum advances. Recognizing
schools This initiative is part of a visionary collaboration this gap, the Government of Andhra Pradesh devised
LIP as a targeted intervention to ensure that no child is
between the Board of Community Development
left behind.
through Education (BCDE), under the Andhra Pradesh
State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), and
the Department of School Education, with the active The youth Prerana Mitras plays a critical role in this
support of UNICEF and its technical partner, Sikshana mission. They spend time outside regular college hours
In the heart of Andhra Pradesh, a unique educational experiment is Foundation. Over 4,000 students from 19 universities helping primary school children with reading, writing
and math. To support this, 20 learning modules were
have already taken on the role of Prerana Mitras in the
quietly taking shape, changing the way children learn first year, impacting primary school children across all developed with SCERT, focusing on Telugu, English,
26 districts. Maths, Sports and Arts and Crafts. These modules are
readily available to Prerana Mitras through an app,
Addressing the Learning Crisis: giving them the vital tools to teach and engage with
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy students. The initiative goes beyond mere academics:
hese days, Maripi Sai eagerly awaits student in Kadapa, dedicated his weekends to teaching Skills among children it’s about building confidence and making learning fun
her weekend, excited to visit a nearby Urdu medium government school children as part of Jami Haritha, a student from Sri Padmavathi Mahila for the children.
government school where she engages his six-week Community Service Project. Through the University student, successfully completed her Learning
children in fun activities. A student of Learning Improvement Program, Jabbar introduced Improvement Program by mentoring 20 children at the The Spirit of Volunteering
T Computer Science at the Adikavi Nannayya joyful, imaginative teaching methods, encouraging kids Mandal Parishad Primary School in Srikakulam. Over
University, Sai volunteers her weekends teaching to think creatively, like asking them what would happen
children in a local school through the Government of if no lions were in the jungle.
Andhra Pradesh’s Learning Improvement Program.
Initially, the children were not very interested in her He fondly recalls celebrating Independence Day with
sessions, so she changed her approach. Now, she begins the children, making crafts and drawing flags. “Every call
each session with games, arts, and crafts, which has from my students fills me with joy, and sharing these
made her a favourite ‘sister and friend’ to the children. experiences makes me feel deeply connected to my
After the fun activities, she uses the learning module community,” he says with pride.
lessons with storytelling to engage children and improve ©UNICEF
University students, as ‘Prerna Mitras,’ serve as advisors and
their reading and comprehension. Learning Development Program: A friends to children in government schools.
Game Changer Leelamanasa Thenebandla, a Bachelor of Arts student
Shaik Abdul Jabbar, a Sri Venkateswara Degree College In the heart of Andhra Pradesh, a unique educational ©UNICEF at S.V. Arts College, Sri Venkateswara University,
Children joyfully engage in paper origami crafts creating a cheerful
and inspiring atmosphere for learning.
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