• Improving access to remote online learning through smart devices: Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, schools were shut-down from March 2020 for the safety of the children and teachers. When the new academic year started in July 2020, schools gradually resumed teaching through online classes using technology based platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. While students in urban schools could participate because of availability of devices such as home computers (desktops, laptops), tablet computers and smartphones, students from rural schools have been facing severe handicap due to lack of adequate internet connectivity / band-with in their homes as also absence of computing and communication devices. A study was conducted to understand how rural school students are coping with the situation. The study showed that, wherever possible, such rural students come together in small groups in village community areas and attempt to attend online classes using shared devices (mainly smartphones and tablets). Where this is not possible, rural students remain deprived of online classes. To address this problem, a project has been designed to provide devices such as smartphones and tablet computers to one rural school i.e. Z P School Wablewadi , Shikrapur. The school administration will lend the devices to needy students to enable them to participate in online classes. About 70 students will benefit directly in each academic year. • Improving Language Skills of rural school students Further, the project also aims to prepare students of the above schools for new career opportunities in the field of languages and for teaching English and a few foreign languages (German and French) using Computer-based Language Learning Aids. 1) Z P School Wablewadi , Shikrapur 2) Mangalmurti Vidaydham, Ranjangaon Ganpati 3) Shri Wagheshwar Vidhyadham Jr.College Mandavgan Farata , Shirur 4) Dr. Basu Vidyadham Lonikand 5) Vidyadham Prashala Shikrapur 6) R.M.D.English medium school & Jr. college of commerce, Shirur • Assistance to school for blind girls The project also aims to assist visually challenged students who attend the NFBM Jagriti School for blind girls, which is run by the National Federation of the Blind, having classes from grade 1st to 10th. Around 110 students and 13 teachers are currently present in the school and will benefit from the project. The Host Club has been associated with this institution since 2006. We have sponsored the Jagriti School Interact Club which has been running successfully for the past 12 years. The project will provide smart canes for improved mobility – Use of a Smart Cane for independent mobility is an integral part of the training provided by the school while imparting its students with “Independent Living Skills”. Laptops – The project will also provide laptops having special screen reader software which enables visually impaired students to work with computers. Teacher Training The project also envisages providing pedagogic training under a program titled "Teach with Technology" to all teachers. The specific needs of each school have been identified through field visits jointly carried out by Rotarians of the host club. In consultation with the school administration and teachers, the host club has prepared the list and specification of the items to be purchased. Assistance to school for upgradation Infrastructure 1. Classroom Infrastructure upgradation by providing benches for students thereby making the classroom environment comfortable for learning. 2. Sanitation Infrastructure upgradation by renovating existing toilets, thereby reducing the risk of illness and consequent absenteeism. 3. Teacher’s Training to upgrade their subject knowledge and impart skills relating to contemporary pedagogictechniques. Beneficiary Schools are Z P Primary School, Dhanore Pune and Dada Gujar HighSchool, Mohammadwadi, Pune