Tamil Nadu's doorstep education model launched in 12 districts. How will it fare?

Tamil Nadu government's flagship project – Illam Thedi Kalvi (Education at Doorstep) – was launched on October 18 to address the learning gap that has widened due to schools being closed during the pandemic and the lockdowns that followed. The project will now be launched on a pilot project basis in 12 districts of the state.

After proper assessment of the impact, the project for Classes 1-8 students of government schools would be expanded to the remaining districts. Initially, it would be launched for two weeks in Cuddalore, Dindigul, Erode, Kancheepuram, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Nilgiris, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli and Villupuram districts.

The project is set to be implemented for a period of six months to impart educational skills among the children who have been missing their classes since the lockdown was imposed from March 2020 to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. The scheme would be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore from this fiscal with participation of teachers, volunteers, NGOs and educationists.

The government even said that this is not just a project but a people's movement. “This will be made into a people’s movement with the participation of parents, public, volunteers and teachers,” an official press release said. Those keen on joining the cause of education could contact the School Education Department online at: illamthedikalvi.tnschools.gov.in. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi flagged off the campaign vehicle related to the educational project.