GUWAHATI, April 2 - The COVID-19-induced nationwide lockdown has hit hard every section of people. But despite all challenges, the Assam State Primary Teachers� Association (ASPTA) has taken a unique step to help the lower primary school students of the State.
ASPTA general secretary Ratul Ch Goswami said its members have started preparing audio tutorials of various lessons which they will send to the guardians of students through WhatsApp or other viable media.
�We are preparing the audios in the same way we used to teach our students in a regular class. At a time such as this, we hope the audios will be helpful for the students to continue with their studies in lieu of regular classes,� Goswami said.
ASPTA is the umbrella body of teachers working in the government primary schools. The initiative will benefit mainly the children of poor families.
ASPTA has also instructed its members to communicate with all guardians over phone amid the medical emergency situation with the aim to make the people aware about the disease.
�We request every member to call at least ten guardians of their school. During the conversation, they will talk about the crisis and advise the guardians on how to continue with the studies of a student during the lockdown hours. We launched the drive on Tuesday and came to know that in some remote areas of Assam, the common people are yet to be aware of the COVID-19. Again, scarcity of food has posed as a challenge for a large section of people,� he said.
Meanwhile, Goswami alleged that primary teachers of Assam have been facing lots of challenges in door-to-door distribution of midday meals (rice) to the students.
�The various government orders have created confusion among us. We need passes from the elementary education department for free movement amid the lockdown, because police will not allow us to move around distributing rice without passes. In this regard we have moved senior officials of the elementary education department, but are yet to find a proper solution,� he alleged.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the elementary education department said, �Every local police station will issue passes to the teachers for the purpose. If anyone faces any problem in this regard then we will definitely solve it in collaboration with the respective district administration.�
