Mumbai: Class 2 student tutors underprivileged children hit by Covid-19 pandemic

Pranit Dharewa teaches more than 30 children via Google Meet for five days a week, free of cost

A chat between a man and his seven-year-old son evoked a sense of great responsibility in the latter. A few months ago, Kamal Dharewa, 35, was having a casual conversation with his son Pranit about how he used to take tuitions during his college days to earn some pocket money. Pranit was intrigued and showed quick interest - not in the pocket money - but in the fact that his father helped children by tutoring them.

"I spoke to him [Pranit] about how kids in the pandemic are unable to get proper schooling as their schools are shut," recalled Kamal, a chartered account by profession. "I also told him about how other students couldn't afford basic amenities like a smartphone or a laptop, and hence, they found it difficult to be a part of virtual classrooms."

Pranit, who is a Class II student at Mira Road's Seven Square Academy, began to show a lot of interest in wanting to teach others. "Initially, my husband and I were just happy that he is interested in helping kids who do not have access to proper schooling," said Pooja, his mother, who is also a chartered account. "He [Pranit] has always been like a big brother to other kids, helping them with academics. In fact, he learns a lot by asking us questions. We supported his thought and kept wondering as to how we can combine his excitement with a cause. That's where the idea struck me. We spoke to Pranit about helping kids who weren't going to school in the pandemic and had lost precious time in the academic year; he was excited to teach them. My husband and I are involved with a few NGOs, so we used our contacts to reach out to kids in slum pockets and asked them whether they want to study."

Kamal Dharewa, his wife Pooja, Pranit and his grandmother. Pics/Satej Shinde

Pranit and his mother soon received calls from a few interested students, who were asked to join their virtual daily class using Google Meet and a device irrespective of where they were located. Pranit began with teaching just one student - who was older than him - but soon, word spread about him taking online tuitions free of cost, and requests started to pour in. Today, Pranit teaches more than 30 children, for an hour every day, five days a week. Every weekday night, Pranit and his mother get together and compile a PowerPoint presentation for the next day's class.

"Pranit already has an understanding of how online teaching works because he had been studying digitally for a year now," said Pooja. He loves it when the kids listen to him and learn. He feels like he is their elder brother… all the kids call him ‘bhaiyya' or ‘dada'. After learning the tricks of online teaching, he now holds classes on his own without his mother's help. "However, like any other teacher, he also sometimes gets disturbed when some of the other kids do not mute their mic."

Pooja looks at her young son as someone who has begun a movement. "Imagine what change we can bring about if every good and capable student ensure a/he teaches one other who cannot afford or make time for formal schooling? This can bring about a big change in our society and impact literacy levels. It's also a good way to make our children empathetic towards those who are not so fortunate. It helps them get sensitised to treat others with respect no matter what their social status."