Teacher turns math into play, boosting school attendance, enrollment
Ravi started his channel during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, posting videos to help students understand basic maths concepts at a time when classes shifted online. But it was in 2024, after he joined MPUPS Admapur, that he realised the scale of the problem. He realised that many students were unable to grasp basic concepts or solve simple problems. This, he noticed, was linked to poor attendance. Determined to find a solution, he introduced board games and puzzles into his lessons, blending learning with play. The approach worked — attendance, Ravi Raj says, rose from 45% to 95%.
What began as a handful of videos soon grew into a large online resource. Today, his channel hosts over 1,600 videos and has about 1.5 million subscribers. 'The videos are not monetised. I see this as social service, not a source of income,' he says. His lessons have drawn praise from students across India and abroad, many of whom leave comments about how the content helps them.
The impact shows at his school too. During this year's Badi Bata, this MPUPS saw enrolment climb from 53 students last year to 73 — and numbers may reach 100 in the coming weeks.
Outside the classroom, the 43-year-old works with voluntary organisations to improve facilities. New benches, a lab, notebooks, ties and belts have been provided, with the teacher often spending from his own pocket. His efforts have drawn attention. Recently, Education Secretary Yogita Rana invited him to help develop MPUPS Admapur as a model school with state government support.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
17 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Teacher turns math into play, boosting school attendance, enrollment
HYDERABAD/ MEDAK : Mathematics often sends students running in the opposite direction, but one government school teacher is trying to change that. Ravi Raj, a mathematics teacher at Mandal Parishad Upper Primary School (MPUPS) in Admapur, Narsapur mandal, uses his YouTube channel 'Raviraj Master' to make maths fun and approachable for children who struggle with the subject. Ravi started his channel during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, posting videos to help students understand basic maths concepts at a time when classes shifted online. But it was in 2024, after he joined MPUPS Admapur, that he realised the scale of the problem. He realised that many students were unable to grasp basic concepts or solve simple problems. This, he noticed, was linked to poor attendance. Determined to find a solution, he introduced board games and puzzles into his lessons, blending learning with play. The approach worked — attendance, Ravi Raj says, rose from 45% to 95%. What began as a handful of videos soon grew into a large online resource. Today, his channel hosts over 1,600 videos and has about 1.5 million subscribers. 'The videos are not monetised. I see this as social service, not a source of income,' he says. His lessons have drawn praise from students across India and abroad, many of whom leave comments about how the content helps them. The impact shows at his school too. During this year's Badi Bata, this MPUPS saw enrolment climb from 53 students last year to 73 — and numbers may reach 100 in the coming weeks. Outside the classroom, the 43-year-old works with voluntary organisations to improve facilities. New benches, a lab, notebooks, ties and belts have been provided, with the teacher often spending from his own pocket. His efforts have drawn attention. Recently, Education Secretary Yogita Rana invited him to help develop MPUPS Admapur as a model school with state government support.
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- The Hindu
How to balance SAT/ACT preparation with regular school
Every year, school students find themselves trying to balance the intense demands of preparing for standardised tests such as SAT and ACT and regular academic responsibilities. SAT and ACT scores often play an important role in college admissions and scholarships but, when combined with homework, testing, and curricular activities, the pressure can be immense. However, this can be done with the right strategy and is an opportunity to develop time management, self-control and flexibility skills. What to do So what is the right strategy? Students who succeed usually begin with a test to understand where they stand, and then set clear, achievable goals. The next step is to develop a personalised study schedule. This needs to be done as early as possible. Second, have a practical approach. Start with weekly blocks and increase the intensity as the exams get nearer. For example: three days of SAT or ACT prep and three days for school academics, and one day for rest. Also plan your study sessions for each day. Start with the most challenging subject or topic. Use the pomodoro technique to break up your time. Say, 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break. Repeat this four to five times. This increases productivity and prevents burnout. Third, revision is key. Use study techniques such as active recall and spaced repetition through apps such as Anki or Quizlet. Every week, reflect on what worked and what did not and adjust the programme accordingly. Turn to mentors, teachers, supervisors, or former students who can guide and help you prioritise studies, stay on track, and gain confidence. They can also help cope with expectations and help face the inevitable obstacles. Online resources have revolutionised how students prepare. From YouTube tutorials explaining complex mathematics to interactive practice questions and prep forums, use a variety of content to suit your learning style. Tech tools can also help you manage your time and attention. But remember to strike a balance and do not place too much reliance on digital tools or passive video watching. A blended approach that combines technology with active learning methods often yields the best results. Last but the most important is your mental health. Daily exercise or a constructive hobby, along with seven to eight hours of sleep every day, are essentials, not extras. Try breathing exercises or meditation to reduce anxiety and stress. Reach out to a mentor or a counsellor will help provide clarity and relief. Recognising when to pause and recharge is important. While trying to balance SAT/ACT prep with school responsibilities is demanding, it is important for those planning to get into colleges in the U.S. The right strategy will help you come out with flying colours. The writer is Co-founder of Rostrum Education
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
‘Hathi-Mitra' on mission to avoid man-elephant conflict
Ranchi: Tapas Karmakar, a young graduate, is bitten by wanderlust and his insatiable desire to be with nature made him join the Wildlife Protection Society of Jharkhand in 2017. Fresh out of college, Tapas said he did not consider his work a job but more of a calling. "That is why I wasn't chasing a corporate dream or a position behind a desk. I am more into chasing forests and rivers, basically, responding to the call of the wild," he said. Born and raised in Ranchi, Tapas found his escape in nature. So, when he got the job of his choice, he immediately started monitoring the movements of elephants on the four govt-notified corridors out of the several in the state and studied the man-animal conflict. His initial curiosity in the matter turned into a commitment to save both the jumbos and the humans. "After working for around three years with the wildlife society across the state, I returned to my native village in Baranda of Sonahatu block in Ranchi district during the Covid pandemic period. During that time, a herd of about 40 wild elephants from the Dalma elephant corridor ventured into the village in search of food," Tapas said. He also said, "The herd started trampling paddy crops, making the already tense relationship between the jumbos and the villagers a more perilous one. No wonder, it resulted in property and crop losses apart from casualties among both the people and the elephants." Asserting that he needed to intervene and mitigate the problem, Tapas said, "I started tracking the herd's movement and updated the jumbo's location to the villagers on a real-time basis and their potential path through WhatsApp messages, videos and calls, so that they could stay updated and prevent further face-offs with jumbos." That's how the idea of 'Hathi-Mitra', a WhatsApp group was born. In the group, he started sharing elephant movements, alerting people to take precautions while moving out of their homes, thereby resulting in a decrease in both man and elephant conflicts and casualties. The WhatsApp group started with only a handful of villagers as members and has now grown to tens of thousands from across the state. The huge number of people is now connected through 12 WhatsApp groups and channels. The villagers update elephant movements on the groups as soon as they spot any herd, reducing conflicts. B ut Tapas didn't stop there. He began educating communities, explaining elephant behaviour, how to stay safe, and most importantly, how to coexist with the biggest animal on land and helping villagers avail compensations from the govt after incurring any elephant-inflicted damage, injuries or casualties. According to Tapas, communities living near the forest areas — especially the younger generation — need to be educated about the elephants' behaviour, their diet, and other key characteristics of the pachyderms. "This awareness can help discourage the use of outdated, often harmful methods to drive elephants away. Most casualties occur when people attempt to confront elephants directly. Introducing wildlife education into the school curriculum is also essential, so that students grow up with a better understanding of animal behaviour and develop a mindset rooted in coexistence rather than fear and conflict," Tapas added.
