Dr Parveen Pannu, teacher-in-charge, department of communications and extension of IHE, tells Sangeeta Yadav about the Each One Teach One Programme and the importance of the ‘communication development programme’
What is ‘Each One Teach One’ programme all aboutIJ
It’s a compulsory social development programme for the students of Institute of Home Economics (IHE) where each student is supposed to get one or many learners and teach them for about 50 hours per session. They conduct an exhibition in the college where students exhibit interesting learning activity that teaches the learners about low cost healthy food, mal-nutrition problems, stress free living, meditation, girl child issues and various schemes by the Government for them, etc.
What is the purpose of this programmeIJ
Extension has always been a component of the department. The under privileged section of the society is deprived of knowledge and development. So, through this programme, we reach out to them with our knowledge and skills so that their lives can dramatically improve. Every society is not complete without haves and have nots. And the have nots need to be looked after. The Government can’t do everything. It’s the social responsibility of everybody. By involving students, the youth power can be tremendous in bringing about a change in the society.
Tell us about the training of the studentsIJ
The students undergo rigorous training in their academic subjects like development communication, development journalism, gender and society, communication and mass media and many more. They are also made aware of social issues, its challenges and limitations in it. After academic training , they put this information based on the kind of learning of the learner.
How are the teaching modules prepared for the learnersIJ
We don't have one common structure for all learners because each one of them is very different. Some are school students who need help in their studies. There are drop out students and adults who no longer go to the school but manage to study in their spare time. There are different categories of people who could be the potential learners. So, the module that is created is specifically tailor-made and need based to the learner. The adults can't be taught in the same way as the child. They learn very fast and in a different way. We have a totally different pedagogy for them. Thus, we do a case study first of the learner.
How does teachers help the studentsIJ
The teacher’s role is parallel with the students. Every week we find out what has been the progress, whether they are facing any problem, etc. For instance, the learner under pressure agrees to study from the student. But they genuinely don't have time because of their daily chores, and working activities. Other challenges include motivating the learner to take up studies, sometimes they don't listen to these young girls. Sometimes the student’s parents are also involved and accompany them to the slum and keep them in a loop about whom they are teaching and why they are teaching. It gives them a support system and motivates them as well.
Can you share some success storiesIJ
One of the learner went abroad with an NGO and from there he wrote back to us saying that he has made to this level only because of his student- teacher at IHE. For him that was the first step and then there was no looking back. He is doing very well and has continued his studies. Another learner has become a driver from nothing. The biggest advantage is that these learners get a lot of confidence and have bettered their earning by upgrading their knowledge. We have had one person who used to do book binding work in a shop. One of the students did research about what is the best method to teach him. This helped him in doing his work much better and faster.
How does this programme benefit the studentsIJ
Students also get motivated and take up three to four learners. Some students have also sponsored their learners in a big way whether it's about driving course, cooking, etc. Some students have also joined NGOs and some look up to this as career choices for the future.
What is the biggest challenge in this programmeIJ
We are struggling on how to pass on literacy especially to the adults as there are no standard books and materials available in the market on adult literacy. Jamia Millia Islamia has got three-four books. There have been a lot of books that have been written by our faculty and students on this subject.
How has Development Communication as a subject evolvedIJ
The discipline of Development Communication is getting better in India and has got good recognition abroad. It has a lot of scope and with the direct usefulness, it has evolved and has come a long way. With the help of communication technology, it has made communication easily understandable. At IHE, our major focus of conducting workshop is on participatory learning and development communication.