Asha volunteer Padmanava Sen’s recent visit to MUKTI’s projects

Asha volunteer Mr. Padmanava Sen visited MUKTI field office and various projects of MUKTI for a 3-day long trip starting on 7th December 2016. He travelled from Kolkata to Mathurapur by train and reached Mukti office at Raidighi. He visited MUKTI Institute of Technology (MIT) and discussed the benefits of computer classes with the students in the lab. He had a quick discussion about their computer and English exposure. He found that students are interested in jobs after the training and the fee structure suits their family financial background very nicely. Then he met the MCDF (Mukti Community Development Fund) members and talked to them about their ongoing tailor training. He was satisfied to see the professionalism maintained by MUKTI relating to accounts and other operations of MCDF. He appreciated some of the handicrafts prepared by the SHGs (Self-help groups). After lunch he went to Purba Sridharpur, where he talked to Class 9 and 10 students and then conducted 3 hrs. of Maths and English classes; his intent was to focus on their weakness in these two subjects.
On 8th December morning he visited Purba Sridharpur coaching center and conducted 1 hr. of English and 1 hr. of Maths instructions for Class 10 students. He focused on grammar and phonics in English. During the session, he also established a rapport with the students, discussing their goals in life. Then he met with the Mukti Krishi group and came to know about the successes in the organic farming movement in this area after Aila. He expressed that this was very informative for him and that he was surprised to know about organic farmers’ enormous successes. After lunch he visited MUKTI Library where he spent 2 hrs. in discussion with teachers from various coaching centers about how to improve quality of education.
On 9th December morning again he visited to Purba Sridharpur coaching center and took a 3 hr. English class focusing on grammar, sentence constructions and writing skills. In math, he taught equations and statistics. Then he visited Uttor Kankandighi coaching center and took a 1.5 hrs. Math-English class for class 10, same as at Purba Sridharpur. After that he had a quick visit to MUKTI field office and then returned to Kolkata.
To summarize, this is his third visit to MUKTI, and he was very impressed to see improvements in multiple fronts. He mentioned it has helped him to realize the challenges and the areas of weakness. After interacting with students he understood much better the challenges faced by the coaching center teachers. According to him, the schools in these areas are doing almost nothing. The coaching center is functioning much more efficiently and they are trying their best to get up to speed, and some students are quite good. But in 3 hrs. a day, only so much can be done, where there is no parental or school support. The coaching centers are the only source of teaching support for the students. MUKTI is planning to start coaching for other subjects as well in selected centers. There is no doubt given their experience and scope, the teachers are trying their best. He has provided a few suggestions to both students and teachers to improve Math and English skills. Overall, his belief is MUKTI is doing a marvelous job to connect the very remote section of the rural West Bengal in Sundarbans.