‘Education at Doorstep’ Project to be Launched in Tamil Nadu Govt. Schools

Vinod Kakumanu
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Tamil Nadu government announced that a pilot project named ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’ (Education at Doorstep) will be launched in 12 districts of Tamil Nadu. The aim of this project is to bridge the learning gap that the students are facing due to closure of schools imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown. This project is for the students of grades 1 to 8 of government schools and, under this scheme, two-hour classes will be conducted after school for the students.

The 12 districts chosen to launch this project initially for two weeks are Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode, Kancheepuram, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Nagapattinum, Nilgiris, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, and Villupuram. This project will be expanded to other remaining districts based on its outcome in these 12 districts.

‘Education at Doorstep’ project will be implemented for a period of six months to equip the students with educational skills, which they lack due to missing classes since March 2020 when the lockdown was imposed. Estimated cost of this project is Rs 200 crore and will involve participation of volunteers, teachers, NGOs, and educationists. This public involvement will make this project a people’s movement. The campaign vehicle of this educational project was flagged off by the school Education Minister, Anbil Poyyamozhi. People interested to join the cause can register online on https://illamthedikalvi.tnsschools.gov.in/Welcome.

An education department official stated that clearing grade 12 is the minimum qualification required to become a volunteer for this project. He further stated that all volunteers will undergo a scrutinization and reviewing process to be selected. Some government school teachers expressed concerns over the teaching quality, though they welcomed the initiative.