DREAMS After-School Programme for the Holistic Development of Children Amid Covid-19

Abstract

After-school programmes (ASPs) help to facilitate students' learning. DREAMS ASP facilitates schoolchildren with holistic development interventions at different locations. Due to the pandemic, DREAMS conducted their ASP in the online mode. The present study aims to narrate the case of ASP in the virtual mode and discuss participants' experiences on holistic development at one of its locations. The study employed qualitative study designs. The sample of the study included participants from DREAMS ASP site at Kerala, India. The study interviewed four mentors, seven participants, and their parents to understand participants' holistic development. However, the study excluded physical and spiritual aspects of holistic development. It found that the virtual DREAMS ASP was joyful, and there was a significant, positive change in all the selected dimensions of holistic development as reported by mentors, children, and parents. The study encourages future researchers to provide opportunities and frameworks to conduct more ASPs in India.