Pupils strike gold with Bathinda teacher's free online classes

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 30

It is 4.30 pm and Amaan Idris, 16, is busy understanding the concepts of trigonometry from her mentor, whom she discovered online.

When the lockdown happened, Sanjeev Kumar from Bharatnagar of Bathinda district, decided to make the most of his time by tutoring students all over the country free of cost.

With over 18 years of academic experience under his belt, 42-year-old Sanjeev, a teacher at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Bathinda Cantonment has devoted the past six months in imparting education to students of classes VIII to XII, and over 2,500 pupils preparing for NTSE scholarship entrance. His online lectures have also pulled in people from the UAE and Malaysia.

Tanveer Kaur from Srinagar, a Class X student, said: “In the past six months, sir has helped us cover 80 per cent of the syllabus. I am certain we will be through with our maths syllabus before the winter break. He makes use of a vast number of online tools, and with a provision for screen sharing, messaging, sharing of online video tutorials, among other things, the learning process has been simple and effective. Since the classes are free of cost, it’s a blessing for people who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford this level of quality education.”

Tanveer’s mother Davinder Kaur said: “We have access to 2G network connection, but that has not been an hindrance. My ward’s mentor has an advanced technology infrastructure. Therefore, she doesn’t face any problem. In times like this when we can’t move out of our houses, he is imparting knowledge to so many students pro bono. He is doing ‘sewa’ in the truest sense of the word.”

Sanjeev had spent lakhs of rupees to raise the advanced technological infrastructure.

On March 28, Kumar conducted a trial session online, and got an overwhelming response. Talking to The Tribune, Sanjeev said, “I always thought of doing something which could bring about a change in people’s lives. When the lockdown happened, I had ample time left to myself, which is when I decided to teach students online. The response I have got so far has been staggering.”

Kumar also invites noted educationists from premier academic institutions to deliver lectures in his live sessions.

“I am very well connected to my roots. My needs have always been minimal. So, when many people try to offer me money, I politely turn it down. I will consider myself truly successful if I am able to inspire a few more teachers to follow the suit,” added Kumar.