Sponsor the education of a poor child by Purkal Youth Development Society

This program benefits the students of PYDS Learning Academy situated in village Purkal on the outskirts of Dehradun. From this year onwards, CBSE has decided against streaming students into Science, Commerce, and Arts after Class XI. We welcome CBSE’s decision to allow a wider combination of subject choices for students.We have created 9 subject combinations for students to choose from. Each combination is aligned to career options. We are using 3 points of reference for subject selection for each student:● CogitoHub aptitude and personality test report● Student preferences● Teacher recommendationWe think that students to use backward mapping potential careers that students could pursue, as that is our mission - ADEQUATE EMPLOYABILITY. We conducted final assessments on campus for classes VI-XII. These were a combination of single-subject projects, multi-subject projects, and written assessments.After the finals assessment, we decided to address the attendance, engagement, and performance of students for class I-XII at the Parent-Teacher Meetings PTM’s.Due to students attending online classes for most of the year, we had a few standout failures and borderline students. Therefore, we instituted a plan that placed students in 3 categories and got written consent from all parents for the following:· Promotion to the next class – students who performed well were promoted· Probation – The borderline students were temporarily promoted. For promotion, all these students must have a) 100% online attendance from mid-April to mid-June b) must score 75% and above in all subject assessments· Hold back - repeat the class due to very poor attendance and performance leading to significant learning loss by the studentProbationers were helped in filling learning gaps by devoting instructional time daily via a) regular classes b) remedial sessions. As a result of students’ hard work and our efforts, all borderline students of Class IX are now promoted to Class X. We have also been able to raise funds and distribute mobile devices to a larger number of children, who were unable to attend classes owing to a lack of devices at home. We believe that we will be able to see better outcomes as a result of these steps during the current academic year. To date, we have distributed 30 mobile phones and tablets.Consequently, we have been able to maintain our online learning efforts at a very high level since our new Academic session began on 22 April 2021. We have learned from the previous academic year that our students fall into four categories, based on their connectivity and access:· Those with no access· Those with multiple siblings, so shared devices hence limited access· Those with limited access because parents needed their device when they go to work· Full accessOur focus for this year has been to enhance levels of student attendance and engagement. We made a timetable such that students had the option to attend either morning or evening (or both) sessions. Teachers teach the same course content at both sessions.Time (Morning) Time (Evening)8:00 - 8:50 AM 5:00 - 5:50 PM9:00 - 9:50 AM 6:00 - 6:50 PM10:00 - 10:50 AM 7:00 - 7:50 PM This flexibility has had the desired result of securing very high attendance from the students. Our effort to give warnings on probation and holding students back has also led to higher engagement in online classes. In addition, our teachers have eagerly embraced project-based learning, experiential learning, and activity-based learning. These are expected to further enhance the student’s learning levels in the coming months.Students’ regularity in online classes is tracked every month. Teachers contacted the parents of those students who did not attend classes. They made sure to consider the reason behind the absence of students and an official record is maintained for their absence with the class teachers and Principal. For this quarter, the attendance of Class X (A) and X (B) has been 90.1% and 93.45%.Several Subjects activities were conducted, some of these were:· Activity 1- Debate CompetitionThe topic of the debate was ‘Do Modern Parents Spoil their Children?’ this activity was conducted to test the analytical and evaluation skills of the students. Also, to develop the ability to analyze, select and evaluate, construct and refute arguments.· Activity 2- Diary WritingThe entire class participated in this activity. Students were asked to write a diary on their encounters with stray animals around them on daily basis. This activity was conducted to develop writing skills in students and to create kindness and sensitivity towards animals. · Activity 3- Project on Bengal Famine 1943 This activity was conducted to make students aware of various historical moments like World War and their impact on various countries. The entire class participated in this activity. · Activity 4- Anti Tobacco DayOn 31 May, all students participated in the activity it was organized to understand the causes and effects of tobacco and to generate awareness against it. Aman’s work was the most appreciated.

After a challenging year, we had hoped for 2021, but the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases crippled the healthcare system of the State quite significantly. Given the spread and intensity of the pandemic, we are girding ourselves for another long bout of distance/ online learning by our students. However, basis our learnings of last year, we have modified the structure of our timetable to better align it with the children’s home schedule and device availability. Our teachers have simultaneously modified their teaching techniques and enhanced their level of parental engagement, given that the children are at home full time. For the next 6 months, we plan to reopen school systematically, we would also further strengthen our distance learning infrastructure to have sufficient options to conduct uninterrupted and effective learning. Plans for the Current Academic Year 2021-22· Secure quality admissions and scholarships for the students passing out so that it is at par with last year· Manage learning loss, attitude erosion, and preserving social skills among the students, despite limitations of distance learning and lack of a formal school atmosphere· Develop physical digital infrastructure on the school campus - e.g. classrooms, library, labs - so that technology can continue to be used for teaching and learning post-pandemic· Equip teachers with technology tools and training so that they are efficiently imparting classes online, documenting their academic work and up-skilling themselves to use these methods of instruction, post-pandemic.Priorities Area for Next Quarter· To analyze results from first quarter formative assessments and monitor students accordingly for all the classes· Class X - ensure the accurate subject selection and transition to Class XI· Continue staff development programs - personal and professional goals· Mobile Distribution for distance learning

Impact story:Student Name – Anjali SemwalFather Name – Mr. Dharmender SemwalMother Name – Mrs. Ambika SemwalClass – X B Background of the familyAnjali lives with her family in Jaspur village. Her father Dharmender is a native of village Saur, Uttarkashi, Uttrakhand.Dharmender and his five elder brothers used to share a small ancestral house.Anjali is studying with us along with his younger brother Piyush who is in Class VIII (B) while her elder brother Ayush is studying in XI Standard with Doon Valley SchoolStatus of the houseAnjali’s family has migrated to Dehradun 4 years ago; they stay in their independent house consisting of two rooms, cum kitchen, and a washroom. Her Academic Progress and ParticipationAnjali Semwal is a well-behaved and brilliant child. She faces connectivity problems at her house due to which she is unable to attend her online classes regularly. This has resulted in her taking a casual approach to online learning. Teachers are motivating her to be more focused on her studies. Despite her irregularity, she has been able to score 70-75 % on informative assessments. She needs to work hard in science. During remedial education, she has improved a lot in English grammar. She participated in various competitions like Hindi Sulekh, English- Hindi, and Hindi-English translation.

Stepping into the ninth month of online learning, we have been persistently making efforts to enhance the quality of learning by finding innovative ways to engage with our students. We are continuously striving to extend our support for the holistic development of our students.
NITI Aayog has acknowledged our tinkering efforts by recognising PYDS Learning Academy as the Atal Innovation Mission (ATL) School of the Month in Uttarakhand for May. We extend our gratitude to NITI Aayog on behalf of the whole PYDS team.

The lockdown helped elicit the hidden potential, talents and creativity of both our teachers and students. There has been a lot of reflection and experimentation by both, helping to devise newer methods of learning/teaching processes that will leave an enduring impression on our students.

Teachers have become proficient in utilizing modern technology. Earlier they used to utilize it only for general purposes like data entry, preparing lesson plans and question banks. Now they are using technology as an active pedagogical tool and to procure learning resources.
Students have become self-reliant and independent learners. They carry out self-study through research and experiment. This has also led them to extended learning and become aware of the value of an inter-disciplinary approach to education. This novel approach is being supported and encouraged by their teachers.
On the occasion of International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2020 students participated by submitting their videos and pictures performing different Yoga Asanas.

We imbibe values of environmental protection in our students and sensitize them towards preserving it. This, after all, is our ethos as a responsible social organisation. We are happy to share that we celebrated ‘Harela – Day of Green’ which marks the onset of the monsoon in Uttrakhand, by planting trees on our School campus and increasing awareness among our students about the best practices to protect our natural resources.
Department of School Education and Literacy’s Integrated Teacher Training Programme, NISHTHA was attended by PYDS Teachers to help them improve the Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training. These were conducted from 15 October to 30 November on topics including:
Curriculum and Inclusive Learning, Health and Wellbeing in Schools, Integrating Gender in the Teaching-Learning Process, Integration of Information and Communication Technology, Art Integrated Learning, CBSE Pedagogy of Environmental Science.

Educating young minds

Apart from academic growth, our support extends to the physical, emotional, social and intellectual care of the child. In January, our girls won the Khel Mahakumbh U-17 State Level Volleyball Tournament. One of our students played the U-14 State Level Volleyball Tournament where her team won the Silver Medal. Ashita Penouli from class 8(A) has been selected for the National under 14 team. She would be going shortly to Lucknow to play in the finals. Our boys’ and girls’ Basketball team competed in the under 14 Basketball Competition. Our girls’ team was the runner up team while the boys’ team secured 3rd position. Lots of activities were undertaken in the Tinkering Lab, a learner's space where our students love to spend their time. They've been working on something or the other since its commencement in 2018. During the last quarter, some teams were assigned a task of creating Robo-Cars which pitted against each other. Our comprehensive medical care ensured the well being of every student. Medical clubs were weekly held for preventive health measures. Some volunteers from Griffith University took a session on oral hygiene. Like the medical club, several other hobby-specific-clubs were also held. These clubs help students hone the skills for which they have a flair. This New Year 2020 began with a memorable trip to Gujarat where a group of 56 (50 students and 6 teachers) experienced the rich Gujarati history, heritage, and culture. The Pushkin Chandra Memorial Competition was organised on 17th February. This competition entails Story Narration and Poem Recitation in both English and Hindi by the students of classes 1-5. It was instituted by Mr. Anil Chandra in the memory of his son Pushkin and has been held every year since 2012.

Program Update

This quarter witnessed a more academic environment on the school campus, with final term exams in March. After the celebrations for India’s Republic Day and the school’s investiture ceremony, focus was largely on the revision of the annual syllabus. Surveying and identification of beneficiaries for the next academic session also took place during this quarter. 12th graders were also busy with college applications and were counselled on their choices. Other activities included Olympiads, essay-writing and poetry competitions, both in and out of the school. A few medical issues were also reported and taken care of in time.

Story from the field

Happy Singh came to PYDS 5 years ago and was awed by the world of circuits and mechanics introduced by his Physics teacher. Fast-forward from there and the Tinkering Laboratory, a NITI Aayog initiative, was inaugurated at school in October’18 by Hon’ble CM of Uttarakhand.
From image-processing to Arduino programming to 3D-printing to Raspberry Pi, Happy Singh excitedly grabbed the opportunity to learn about all the futuristic equipment brought into the tinkering lab. He along with Kashish Aswal, a grade younger, submitted a solution titled Re-purposing Women's Fashion into Self-Defence Equipment, at a competition organized by INTEL “Make Tomorrow for Innovation Generation”. The project and the confident delivery of it to the presenters, was among the Top 10 Finalists.
This was a big achievement for a boy like Happy, who has been raised in a family with innumerable economic limitations. In his own words, “I aspire to become a Software Engineer. I am learning lots of new things about electronics and circuits and how things work and how software is used to drive different machines.” His teachers say it, as does his excitement – the impact of technology on campus has given him a dream to work towards in the future.

Program Update

A new academic session started in early April and we took in more beneficiaries under our care. Over the year, we exposed children to a number of field visits, mostly within the city. On International Yoga Day, a group of 250 students was bussed to the venue where the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi celebrated the occasion with asanas and the healing powers of meditation.

Students of the biodiversity club enjoyed bird-watching and explored rare species during their educational and heritage walks. The artists underwent a treat in the form of pottery and creative skill workshops organized by volunteers and partner schools.

Over the term, some of our students excelled in inter-school and district sports competitions and dance/art activities held in the city. Practices have now commenced in full swing for the upcoming Sanskrit Dance Drama to be enacted at the School's Annual Day celebrations.

A diversified group of volunteers have also visited for brief periods to help children in sports, film-making, music and more often than these, soft skills most essential for a holistic growth.

Story from the field

Akash Pal is a diligent scholar who, with an aptitude for science, scored an impressive 91% in the class 10th CBSE examination. He is one of our ideal students who takes advantage of every opportunity that the school provides. Hard working and extremely gifted, he excels in art and sports and has brought many laurels to the school.

Questioning him about the future he envisions, he says "I want to pursue Architecture as a career. I want to create new structures of buildings. I want to create futuristic technology houses which are smart and secure". To assist him in this ambition, we have enrolled him in a coaching institute in the city where he attends preparatory classes for the NATA or JEE B.Arch. exam so that he can join a good college.

At the young age of 8, Akash and his two brothers witnessed their father, an uneducated mason, take to alcohol and later attempt suicide. The family was deep in hospital debt when we rescued them from a failed life. Akash's mother started training, working and then earning monthly wages with the help of Purkal Stree Shakti Samiti, a sister concern focusing on women empowerment.
Support could mean that all three brothers, who have learnt lessons from their father's misbehaviour, will make a life into normality and away from innate poverty.