In the post-Covid education model, parents are being looked at as the agents of carrying forward the learning practices of the children, but there is no sustainable attempt to connect them to the system which can resolve their challenges in performing this role
The model involves 3 layers- manual calls to households, incoming helpline number, and Whatsapp chatbot. With these 3 systems, we aim to reach out to the households of children studying in government schools. Calls are done through a n app developed by us, to empathically understand the challenges of the parents, and content specific to those problems are sent either through calls, or through SMS/IVRS. Same content is available on the Chatbot also. They can reach out to us through the helpline number as well.
We already had evidence to believe that parent-to-parent support works. In 2018, a third party assessment of a work we did with Google showed that, direct explanation of a tech platform to the parents can increase learning level by 40.6%. Our study of the current project shows that as many as 92% of the parents found the intervention extremely helpful. 70% of the teachers said that it was a learning experience for them, and 55% of them want the intervention to continue.
After the initial success of this model, we have initiated a conversation with the Delhi state government to adopt a similar model. We are currently working with the Delhi state government to develop a model of schools Mitras (loosely translated as “School friends”), a volunteer network of support for parents. We are looking to enroll 35000 to 40000 volunteers in the next 3 years to support 1 million families. The focus is on augmenting government support resources for parents by allowing volunteers with the required background and skills to work remotely and directly with parents. The volunteers can provide parents with the required support on overcoming barriers to impact learning.
To try out the helpline, one can dial the number and opt to either navigate different options there or speak to our facilitator.
Helpline number: +911143060755
To try out the chatbot, one can open the contact in Whatsapp, and send a message by writing “Hi” in it. The chatbot then guides the user to various possible options to explore by typing in simple key numbers
Chatbot number: +911171279787
