Current

Title: To understand how schools prepare children to become Active Citizens and influence policy decisions

Sponsor: State Government of Maharashtra, India

Position: Post-graduate Researcher

Location: University of York, UK

Abstract: IEA is collecting Citizenship and Civic Engagement related data from schools belonging to more than 30 countries over the last 20years. A predictive model can be developed and trained, using the Machine Learning algorithms to peep into the future of Active Citizenship. This predictive model will allow to feed data of any country (not participated till date) and predict the future. Those countries will then plan policies considering those inputs and design programs to implement those policies. Most importantly, monitoring data collected during the program implementations shall be used for improvising those predictive models over time.

Title: Exploring the possibilities of implementing Service-Learning in urban schools

Sponsor: Samidha Bahuddeshiya Sanstha

Position: Principle Researcher

Location: Mumbai, India

Abstract: Service learning is a relatively new concept in India. Service-learning refers to the integration of classroom activities with community work. In recent times It is considered an effective pedagogical practice to instil useful skills and knowledge in students and give them a sense of civic responsibility. It also helps in meeting community needs (Mikelic Preradovic, 2015). Students get first-hand experience in observing community problems, and contributing to community work, resulting in a better understanding of related educational content as well. Some examples of service-learning are encouraging students to tutor yonder children in the community, cleaning gardens in the community, and creating awareness around cleanliness and hygiene in the community. Service learning can be helpful for such children in understanding their community in a better way through community service. They would get lessons in their own context and also, they could contribute to meeting community needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has badly affected schools and schools in Mumbai are no exception to it. Schools had to shift to an online mode of teaching which was difficult for both teachers and students. Urban slum children are facing multiple challenges simultaneously, starting from online

school challenges, learning gaps created in the last two years, livelihood challenges faced by parents, and migration to different cities. Currently, schools in Mumbai are still in the reopening phase, many students are yet to attend school regularly. Fear of rising COVID cases is still there. Teachers are working on bridge courses to fill the learning gap in the last two years. Foundational numeracy and literacy are key areas that are being focused on. Teachers also mention the workload they have and additional tasks given by BMC. In short, a lot of challenges are there. In this scenario, this study intends to Explore the possibilities of implementing the Service-Learning. Teachers' role is important in the implementation of service learning. Hence the purpose is to get an understanding of teachers' readiness for service-learning, possibilities for implementing it in the school, challenges in implementation, and what support teacher expects in the implementation of service-learning pedagogy.

Title: Understanding the perspective of urban slums community on the concept of Service-Learning

Sponsor: Samidha Bahuddeshiya Sanstha

Position: Principle Researcher

Location: Delhi, India

Abstract: Service-Learning originated in the USA and flourished over the last 5 decades through various national efforts Learning and Serve America. It was later matured through the efforts of the academic work of numerous researchers belonging to education, political sciences, social sciences, and other development practitioners. The evidence says that such educational interventions do help students, educational institutions, and communities as well, but community aspects are still not explored enough.

Specifically, Indian communities are more complex as compared to western as ethnic practices are dominant in India. Similarly, the centralization of the economic activities in the urban areas has made work-based temporary migration (which eventually converts to permanent migration) a common phenomenon. This leads to a very different mix of people staying together and interacting on a day-to-day basis. Such diverse communities have a different cultural mix, in some cases, people coming from the same ethnic background gather to celebrate festivities which preserve their original identity. But sometimes it also goes through massive transformation after interacting with people coming from other faiths, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. The Identity of such urban slum migrant labourers itself becomes a point of investigation in this proposed study.

Living urban life in the middle of the slums is not easy as it poses many challenges which include basic necessities like hygiene, and sanitation. There are countless other social issues which urban slums go through which are not addressed by the local governance system efficiently. Youth in the urban slums face other challenges like poor academic performance, substance abuse, crime, unemployment, political influences and lacking skillsets to cope with growing market expectations. The Attitude of the legal, political system and administration is also negative which worsens the problem.

One of the solutions can be that these people can come together to work on their immediate community issues and try to solve them by themselves. They work on the issues which are their priorities and seek the help of the local governance in completing those. Such participatory approaches are aggressively promoted nowadays in the development sector which involves people in identifying the problems, prioritizing those, figuring out the solutions and resolving those issues.

There are issues in inviting participation, as community members might be too occupied in their work. They are already burdened with their responsibilities and struggles, so identifying time for such things might not be possible. Another challenge is that such participation can be used to drive politically motivated agendas. Again, trust issues within the community members also create the problem. Lastly, religious motivations might also drive certain participatory approaches toward the public good.

With this background, bringing people together to identify the right agenda and working together, needs to be understood properly before putting it into practice. Service-Learning goes a step further where it involves curriculum in the community problem-solving. Teachers, educational institutions, community organizations and government agencies also become part of the implementations. There are higher chances that community members would prefer to stay back in such a situation.

This study proposes to explore all opportunities and challenges involved in engaging the community. It will be a qualitative exploratory study which will engage with community members and identified leaders to understand their views about being involved in such educational activities. Data will be collected through focused group discussions, and interviews.

Title: Does Service-Learning help in improving Learning-Outcomes, specifically Social Sensibility and Active Citizenship, through Service-Learning activities planned in consultation with SMC for Upper Primary Grade students in India?

Funding: Non-funded

Position: Head, Research

Location: Urban: Pune, India; Rural: Katol, Nagpur, India; Tribal: Gadchiroli, India

Description: This study tested the hypothesis that Service-Learning pedagogies can instigate active citizens. Also explored the possibilities of using the School Management Committee (SMC) as the systemic mechanism for creating the required community connection.