Almora: To bring about change in Uttarakhand, the education system needs to be improved. Students in the mountainous regions must be freed from the notion that they are inferior. Due to a lack of resources, children in these areas are often deprived of modern educational tools. Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges of studying in hilly areas. While the concept of Digital India is widely discussed, many villages still lack network connectivity, forcing students to travel long distances for online learning. However, teacher Bhaskar Joshi is showing students a new path through his skills. His approach to work seems as though he is on a mission for complete education and higher education.
Bhaskar Joshi’s Innovative Teaching Methods
In the remote Rajkiya Primary School, Bajela, in the Dhauladevi block of Almora district, Assistant Teacher Bhaskar Joshi is known for his innovative teaching methods. He has been working in this field for a long time, focusing not only on academic knowledge but also on personal development. Many videos have surfaced showing him teaching through street plays. Joshi believes that it is crucial for children to build confidence and enthusiasm. This foundational work at the school level helps ensure that students do not feel inferior when they pursue higher education outside.
Expanding Education Through Social Media During the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhaskar Joshi used social media groups to teach not only his own students but also children across the state. His noble efforts have earned him recognition from several prominent institutions. To bring technology closer to education, he created a website for his school on Google, where he posted over 500 worksheets and self-made animated videos. His goal is to use these videos to teach children both within India and abroad. Joshi has become Uttarakhand’s first Google Certified Educator and serves as an inspiration to both students and teachers.
Launching the ‘Bajela Online’ App for Accessible Education
After creating the website, Joshi undertook another initiative by developing an app called “Bajela Online” to make education accessible via mobile devices. The app is free and available on the Google Play Store. Joshi explains that it was essential to use the COVID-19 lockdown period effectively, as keeping children away from education for an extended period is detrimental.
Features of the ‘Bajela Online’ App and Its Impact
The app features over a hundred comics and children’s literature, along with daily tasks, weekly worksheets, a mission workbook, school magazine, reference books, quizzes, summer camp activities, NCERT books, and access to the National Digital Library. Joshi prepares himself each day by updating the app to ensure that students receive the latest knowledge. The app has been praised by many parents, and it includes a POCSO button for child safety, allowing users to contact child helplines with a single click. Additionally, Joshi conducts extensive research to improve the education system.
