Learning Never Stops: Microsoft And Humana People To People India’s Digital Classroom Project In Chhattisgarh

The resurgence of the COVID-19 has had all of us in the lockdown mode again. As we all isolate ourselves and adapt ourselves to a lifestyle we’ve been familiar for the past year, it is easy to get demotivated during times like these. However, if we look at the bright side of things, the lockdown has pushed us to get innovative and experiment with new ideas and technologies to ease our lives.

Today, we take a look at the Digital Classroom Project (DCP), an initiative by Microsoft and Humana People To People India, in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission, Chhattisgarh. Launched on December 17, 2019, the literacy programme’s goal is to promote school learning as well as adult literacy in 16 schools in Raigarh and Mungeli districts of Chhattisgarh.

DCP provides students from class 1 to 5 with a technology-enabled learning atmosphere which is conducive to critical thinking, skill development and assessment. Through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), it nurtures creativity and inquisitiveness.

Computer labs are built in each of the schools and the teachers are also indoctrinated in the latest teaching methods to provide the students with the best learning environment.

DCP’s adult literacy project was started with the aim of promoting enhanced functional literacy among adults. This is expected to increase their participation rates in other government projects and schemes while enabling women to take on bigger roles in the household as well as the community.

This brainchild of Microsoft and Humana People To People India could not have come at a better time. 2020 saw the onset of the global pandemic and the mass closure of schools meant that many students were left without the means to pursue their education, jeopardizing their futures.

DCP’s adoption of the digital platform from the start allowed it to continue with a hitch. The ‘box solution’ of the project which provided computers with digital content, projectors and speakers proved to be a handy tool. As both teachers and students were already familiar with computer systems, transitioning to online learning was achieved with minimum hassle.

Since the lockdown began, lab instructors armed with two laptops each have been making the rounds. The students were divided into 277 smaller groups, enabling the instructors to spend at least an hour teaching 5-6 children.

The lockdown has no doubt curtailed many activities but it is during such times the human race has always persevered. Digital Classroom Project has proven that where there is a will, there will always be a way.