To gauge the actual impact of Gyantantra, Literacy India had the project independently assessed by a third party evaluator. The intent was to determine the extent to which the project had fulfilled its aim and what steps were needed to improve it's functioning in the coming years. The findings showed that the project had achieved its aims quite substantially.
The students looked forward to lessons and showed rapid improvement when Gyantantra method was used alongside classroom teaching.
It also helped bring a level of consistency to the teaching standards.
Gyantantra method was used alongside classroom teaching.
Alongside this, the assessors observed that if a set of guidelines for the functioning of the project is defined, it could result in even better outcomes. As an example, they mentioned the Gyantantra programs in government schools, which are designed as support modules to help weaker students catch up. However, since the school administration required all students to take up the program, the target students were not getting enough time or attention.
The steps suggested to increase the effectiveness of the program were as follows:
Defining a standard operating procedure (SOP) and preparing allied documentation.
A monitoring plan to ensure that the SOP is followed.
Regular engagement of Literacy India officials with the Gyantantra schools and community partners.
According to Literacy India’s assessment, inadequacies of the elementary education system principally contribute to poor learning outcomes in children attending government schools. The GyanTantra programme has been successfully implemented in government primary schools, and is also being utilised by NGO partners, across 100+ Locations in Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Noida UP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Ladakh, Odisha, Jharkhand & West Bengal to reduce the learning gap in children.
GyanTantra integrates knowledge with life-skills through additional self-help modules on varied topics like child abuse, importance of maintaining basic hygiene, gender-neutral division of tasks, and health issues including HIV-positive symptoms. These modules positively impact the immediate families of the learners, as well as the wider community, through permeation of personal and social good practices.
Girls have been attending classes and achieving better results, as compared to boys. The average result achieved by girls is 3-4% higher than boys.
Module-based question banks were created using Quizky to enable pop-up tests. The pilot project was implemented in 10 schools and 2,500 students appeared for the assessment.
We conducted sessions in government schools, as well as community centres, to promote hygienic practices among students. Sessions on ‘Use of toilet’, ‘Washing hands’ and ‘Brush your teeth’ were conducted.
Two toilet blocks and six toilets were built under Cost Card Support and a sanitary vending machine was installed.
Wash programme’s sessions on clean water, sanitation and hygiene impacted 7,695 students.
A questionnaire on cleanliness among a group of students revealed that 58% use a toothbrush, 17% use their finger, 18% use neem twigs and 7% use tooth powder to clean their teeth.
GyanTantra students at Vidyapeeth were shown a toilet story module to sensitise them on basic hygiene. Through this activity, it was found that 2 out 56 students do not have access to toilets.
12 out of 56 students said that the lessons learnt through the stories have helped them bring about a change in their family and neighbourhood.
It was observed that 15 days after the session was conducted, 70 – 75% students continued to have an in-depth understanding of the story.
