Radio Mathematics for Artisan Women

Period of the project: 01.06.2018 to 26.05.2019.

Catalysed and supported by: National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC)-Department of Science and Technology (DST), GOI.

India – the cradle of civilization, holds the credit of having offered Mathematics to the world. Many fundamental concepts in Mathematics – modern numerical system, decimal value system, concept and value of zero, among many others, can be traced back to ancient Vedic times. Be it arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus or highly advanced computations of astrological and astral movements of heavenly bodies and the cosmos have been elucidated and many of its records are testimonies. Srinivasa Ramanujan, Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta, Pingala, Bhaskara I & II, Varahamihira, Mahāvīra, Madhava of Sangamagrama, Gargi et al to name a few, are some of the illustrious mathematicians who have bequeathed an immense legacy of knowledge to the future and the world of mathematics. Mathematics in India does not seem to have sustained its ancient glory; and the reasons are many – rampant poverty and illiteracy leading to its underdevelopment and backwardness. Today, even though India is considered a worthy resource for learning and teaching mathematics, many young Indians avoid it after high school. World over, the teaching and communication of Mathematics depend on visual aids, but it is contrary in India with our oral traditions. This brings to mind the possibility to attempt an oral medium like riding radio waves to make mathematics learning exceptionally interesting – so aptly answered by a new-born pilot project titled Radio Mathematics promoted by the NCSTC, and funded by DST, GOI. With the success and proven track record of science communication through Community Radio in the science for women’s health and nutrition project running successfully, Radio Mathematics is the brainchild of Dr. R. Sreedher, former Director, CEMCA envisioned popularizing mathematics education through the audio medium of community radio, cost-effectively to all strata of society.

Studio recording of Maths song by students

Kamalvani 90.4FM took this opportunity through the project Radio Mathematics for Artisans Women. Local artisan women were the primary target group of the project as there was a requirement of basic mathematics in their day to day life. The targeted women of artisan society are involved in activities like Bundi-Bandhej, Sewing-Embroidery-Knitting (Silayi-Kadhai-Bunayi), Dyeing, Blue Pottery, etc. Women of the concerned group are mostly illiterate, numerals were like bad dreams for them. The initial survey questionnaire administered to 1022 respondents of 10 villages revealed that the level of education of the respondents is quite low, with 47% of the total respondents, including the majority of the homemakers, having no formal education, whereas the remaining 32 % had education hardly up to Class V. Due to lack of mathematical knowledge, and its applicability, there were always cases of fraud and exploitation with the local artisans. There was a heartfelt need for mathematical knowledge for this society. Most of the target group women are not even allowed to step outside their houses due to the backward mentality. Teaching these women always has been a big challenge, and this project proved to be the right tool for this problem. The purpose of the said project was to provide a basic understanding of Mathematics to the local women artisans so that they can implement this knowledge in their day to day life. Community radio is the best way to achieve the purpose of the project. Most of the people in rural areas are working all day long to make their livelihood, so they don’t have time to go to school or to attend any seminar. But they can get the knowledge through the radio while working.

Field recording of a Maths episode

Radio Mathematics is a series of radio programs in which 180 episodes on different concepts of Mathematics were produced with the help of local women using the local dialect. Various radio formats as well as convergent methods were used for effective execution of the project. The programmes were designed to suit the community around the radio station, and it was ensured that the programmes reach to the identified audience and are easily understood by them. Time to time feedback from the field was also gathered, and identified improvements were made continuously. Also, day to day life examples were used to demonstrate the mathematical concepts to the target group. Training was provided to the field workers, staff of Radio station under the supervision of Media 4 Community Foundation (M4C) experts. Workshops were conducted for capacity building exercise for the production teams to identify and train the potential radio anchors, producers, scriptwriters and reporters. The training modules were designed considering the education, experience, skill levels of the community members. Training was also provided to the local women to prepare the Radio Mathematical programmes. The project is a great success and it can achieve its objective very effectively. This type of project is more needed to create a society with a fearless attitude and a high level of confidence.

Impact: More than 1000 women were benefited directly, and the number of indirect beneficiaries is more than 1000000. The project has boosted the confidence of the target audience in their day-to-day life mathematics usage, and they are now able to handle their household business better. Now, they can manage money more effectively. Also, they don’t feel any hesitation or difficulty performing any level of purchasing from the market. Participation of these women in episode preparation for the said program has improved public speaking skills, and hesitation for the same has disappeared. Radio Kamalvani has succeeded in creating a positive environment for learning mathematical skills for day-to-day life use. This effort has created several wonderful examples and success stories in the field.

Report of baseline study, capacity building and content creation: https://issuu.com/kamalvani/docs/kamalvani_report 

Following are the 180 episodes of Radio Mathematics: