Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Education in Rural Odisha and Response Through Community-Led Education Initiative: Mo Chatashali

Authors

  • Naba Kishor Pujari Atmashakti Trust

Keywords:

Local-to-Local strategy, Mo Chatashali, Bridging the Gap, Lockdown Education,, Atmashakti,, Collective Action, Underprivileged Children

Abstract

The 'Mo Chatashali' education initiative addressed the digital divide among rural underprivileged children and bridged their learning gaps by adopting a local-to-local strategy. It worked effectively during the pandemic despite limited government support to provide education for needy children in the remotest areas of Odisha.

 

Through Mo Chatashali, Atmashakti successfully delivered an innovative remedial learning platform for children from underprivileged rural communities in Odisha during the pandemic. It helped children return to the fore of education during the covid-19 induced lockdowns and reduced potential child marriages and child labor. It also shielded them from helping with household chores, sibling care, and more. Atmashakti's 'Mo Chatashali' education initiative is more than a replicable model in emergencies like COVID-19. It is an inclusive education model in resourceless areas. It enables communities to take charge, playing a vital role in helping their children learn and thrive. Mo Chatashali is a testimony of a community-driven success story. Moreover, 'Mo Chatashali' was the sole hope to bridge the academic gap the pandemic fueled for over 0.10 million children from the tribal and Dalit communities (Kallie, 2020).

Author Biography

Naba Kishor Pujari, Atmashakti Trust

A freelance journalist, author and development sector professional based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha with more than 15 years of experience in the field of NGOs and media. The issues that I have been focusing on include education, child rights, health and poverty from a rights-based and gender perspective.

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Published

2023-05-25

How to Cite

Pujari, N. K. (2023). Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Education in Rural Odisha and Response Through Community-Led Education Initiative: Mo Chatashali. Social Innovations Journal, 18. Retrieved from https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/5968