Category – Most Innovative Nomination

Guruji

DESCRIPTION
Developed by Databyte, Guruji is a teaching device that brings in efficiency and flexibility in teaching and learning of elementary education. It consists of an inexpensive electronic blackboard which has the potential to not just simplify but perhaps transform the teaching of elementary education in rural areas. The LED-based blackboard plays inbuilt audio-visual lessons repeatedly which enables a child to learn to read, write, speak, count, subtract, multiply and divide effortlessly. The blackboard is operated using a hand-held infrared remote. At present, lessons are available in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and English.

Guruji obviates the need for a trained teacher. Anyone who has only basic knowlegde or even be illiterate himself or herself can effectively run a class with Guruji. Moreover, no particular schooling infrastructure is essential. There is zero dependency on electricity as the blackboard runs on built-in rechargeable battery which can be charged from mains or from a suitable solar panel. The class itself can have a flexible, informal format and still be effective.

EVALUATION
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) for 2005, compiled by Delhi-based NGO Pratham Foundation, has revealed that 93.4% of village children are in school but 52% of them between ages 7-14 cannot read a simple story and 41% cannot do simple arithmetic. Of the 140 Million primary school children in India, 30 million cannot read at all and 40 million can recognize only a few alphabets.

These findings make it clear that due to a range of reasons, children do not receive the kind of basic, elementary education that would enable them to learn or even keep them coming to the school year after year. Tools like Guruji must be introduced to village schools and children as they can fill some of the gaps inherent in the education system and potentially decrease the drop-out and illiteracy rates of the country.

Original Title : GURUJI

Producer : Databyte Equipment Pvt. Ltd.

Location : Pune, Maharashtra, INDIA

Media Format : Offline

Language : Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, English

www : www.guruji-india.com