Omkar is a 6th grade student in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. He has to walk 6 kms to attend classes.

Omkar Santosh is a sixth grade student from Z P Khandke school in Sable Vasti, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Curious, hardworking, and eager to learn, he was appreciated by his school teachers and Volunteer Teachers who taught him through the eVidyaloka Digital Classroom Program.

However, the exciting journey of learning for this 11-year-old came to an abrupt halt last year. The enforced lockdown during the pandemic had shut all schools and like his 321 million counterparts across India, Omkar stayed at home. This sudden interruption caused a sense of bewilderment, which was seen especially for children from rural areas.

Foreseeing an increase in dropout rates from school and to ensure students continue learning, eVidyaloka started the Learn from Home program (LFH). Much like the rest of the country, LFH helped students continue their learning from home – through video classes facilitated by the ever-committed volunteers.

This has debunked the myth that children learn only in school as students are now learning with whatever device is available to them at home.

eVidyaloka started the program in villages and students where connecting through their family mobile phones was possible. However in Omkar’s village, most of the students did not have access to a smartphone. To overcome this hurdle, the Class Assistant, Monali, who was in charge of facilitating the virtual learning program, proactively sought out students within the community and brought them to a mutual place for two hours everyday . Here, students were able to attend the LFH sessions while ensuring social distancing and other hygiene practices.

Students attending online classes on a smartphone.

Three students were living near Monali’s house but Omkar’s house was 3 kilometres away. Undeterred by the distance and showing a great commitment to his studies he has been walking from his village to attend the class all through the lockdown period. Omkar’s passion to learn reflects in the long journey of over 6 kilometres that he undertakes to attend the classes every day.

As his teacher says about Omkar “He is learning and stubbornly persistent in moving forward”. There are many such Omkar’s who are passionate and seek out every opportunity to learn and progress. The Learn from Home program is an effort to ensure that there are no Omkars left behind due to access to education.

Many children like Omkar need your help to get Back to eVidya School this year. Help a rural child today!

Written by : Deepak Bhagat

Deepak is an alumnus of Azim Premji University. He is passionate about the cause of rural education. He loves connecting with children and inspiring them.

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