The flagship CSR program of Newgen aims to impart quality digital education among government girls school students to bridge the digital divide and prepare them for the world of digitization. The goal is to instill curiosity in young minds to empower them to transform their lives.
The program marked its initiation with a pilot project in 2015. Presently, NDDP footprints are spread across Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Tekhand and Harkesh Nagar School in Delhi, covering around 3000 students from Class 6 to 8.
The two main groups include NDDP (Class 6 to 8) and NDDP Alumni (Class 9 to 12).
Digital Awakening – Interactive Learning & Harvesting Inquisitiveness
Web-based technology with state-of-the-art digital labs at schools that transform traditional classroom teaching into a fun and interactive learning experience is the essence of the NDDP infrastructure. The classes were conducted through audio-visual screening, discussions, presentations, and iPad learning to nudge the students to explore and share.
During COVID-19, the NDDP program transformed its operations based on the need of the hour, and the program execution method was re-invented. Sessions were conducted online and through digital learning platforms. Students were provided digital devices, including iPads, tablets, and smartphones, along with data cards to make education accessible.
Till date, 3000 govt. school girls have been digitally empowered and more than 2000 students have been provided smart devices to make them at par with technology.
A Holistic Approach to Learning – NDDP Hybrid Model
With the re-opening of the schools in 2022, the implementation strategy of NDDP was modernized and it incorporated a hybrid model with online & offline modes of teaching. For the NDDP batch of Class 6 to 8 students, offline classes were conducted in the NDDP labs of the schools. The sessions included subjects such as social and science integrated with worldwide exposure. Life skills development was a new component initiated for the junior classes to help them inculcate healthy life lessons.
Beyond Academics – Transformative Experiences
These activities are a part of the daily sessions that focus on enhancing research and presentation skills and push the students to explore the worldview of the topics. Matured news during the newsreader activity, active participation during quiz sessions, debate competitions, and special day celebrations were some common observations as we progressed through the year.
Winners and participants were felicitated with prizes in the respective schools as a method of encouragement.
Empowering Lives – NDDP Alumni (Grade 9-12)
The focus for NDDP Alumni – formed in December 2019 – has been on personality development and career counseling. The current batch has over 500 girl students. Personality Development: I Am, a mental health organization, conducted sessions on life skills and peer leadership development where they focused on the components of physical and psychological health, non- violent communication, identifying risky behaviors, crisis management, and tools and techniques to support holistic well-being.
Every theme supported the students to understand the importance of maintaining a safe mental space and building social and emotional well-being for themselves.
Career Counseling
The career counseling segment was streamlined by including regular interaction with professionals along with detailed discussion on varied career options. Intensive handholding and mentoring were done with the Class 12 students who excelled during the academic year. Scholarships are also being organized for their higher education.
Pioneering the Way – NDDP Maargdarshaks
This opportunity was created with the meritorious 12th-passed students, who decided to be torchbearers for the juniors on various aspects of higher education and guide them with their career plans. The pioneers of NDDP emerged with the best career options and shared their future plans.
Trusted Allies: Samarth Saarthis and Samarth Shikshaks
The NDDP program realizes the significance of involving the primary stakeholders i.e., the teachers and the parents, to strengthen the program and make it sustainable. The 2 key stakeholder groups consist of the NDDP Samarth Saarthis (Mothers’ Group) and NDDP Samarth Shikshaks (Teachers’ Group).
Samarth Saarthis
Samarth Saarthis includes the mothers of NDDP students created with an aim to build a circle of support and share dreams.
Samarth Shikshaks
Samarth Shikshaks are the Guiding Lights for the NDDP students. Structured interviews of the teachers and Principals of the Newgen-adopted schools were conducted on a regular basis. This aided in aligning the NDDP classes with respect to the curriculum topics taught in school thereby rendering NDDP sessions as an add-on remedial supportive class for the students.
To date, 20+ teachers have been interviewed to gauge the impact of NDDP sessions. Their feedback and suggestions were incorporated into the NDDP plan
Tracking, encouraging & celebrating – Monitoring and Feedback Mechanism
Monitoring and gauging the performance of the students lays the foundation of the NDDP program. The sessions are customized as per the needs of the students which ultimately helps them grasp the knowledge effortlessly and score better grades.
Feedback and suggestions from every class attending the NDDP sessions are recorded at the end of every month through a structured questionnaire. The suggestions and comments help us in designing the course material and activities for the forthcoming sessions.
Additionally, a target group of students from every class was interviewed by their facilitators every month to understand their challenges and development. Retention of students in every class is monitored by maintaining their attendance through the sessions.