Once Quiet, Now Unstoppable
From ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ to ‘Once upon a time’, six-year-old Saunskruti now dreams of making it big
Chandrapur, Maharashtra, is known for its coal deposits. In Bhadravati, where many residents work in mines or fields, the local ZP schools serve the community's children. At Waygaon’s ZP Primary School, teacher Mahesh Sorte joined CEQUE’s Teacher Innovator Program (TIP) in 2021-22, a decision that would transform his classroom and the life of one student, Saunskruti Bhavane.
Saunskruti, a Grade 4 student, was withdrawn and struggled academically. Teacher Sorte discovered she couldn't even recognise the alphabet. After visiting her home, he realised the challenges she faced, with uneducated parents working long hours and her grandmother caring for her and her younger brother.
Teacher Sorte and coach Yogendra Katkar worked together to help Saunskruti. They focused on building her confidence and gradually introducing her to basic literacy skills. She began interacting with classmates and making progress. Using the First-Then-Next-Last strategy, they helped her break down lessons into manageable parts. She began reading, paraphrasing, and even writing, her work displayed proudly alongside her classmates. Saunskruti’s progress was remarkable; she translated a lesson into Hindi and even wrote and directed a play.
Her parents were overjoyed. “We’d given up hope,” her mother admitted. “Now, she comes home and writes, even teaching her little brother.”
Teacher Sorte credits TIP with helping him reach students like Saunskruti. “Several students struggled after COVID-19 school closures,” he explained. “TIP strategies have helped bring them back into the learning fold.”
Saunskruti’s story is just beginning. She shares her lessons with her grandmother and eagerly waits to teach her little brother. From struggling with the alphabet to directing a play, she now dreams big. Ask her what she wants to be, and she smiles, “A singer, or join the Army!”
