What is India's score in Digital Schooling?
Education
Image Source: livemint.com
The lockdown imposed to counter Covid locked up 27 crore children outside schools. Although the government had directed the schools to deliver lectures online - thousands of students were left with no means to education due to lack of robust IT infrastructure.
How did this affect the students and teachers in the ecosystem? What is the best way to tackle this problem? Let’s discuss!
27 Crore Children locked out of school.
115 mn On the verge of malnutrition due to interruption in MDM scheme.
15% Rural households without internet access.
2/5 Teachers don’t have necessary devices to teach.
Mid Day Meal Scheme
115 million children are on the verge of malnourishment due to the interruption of mid-day meals (MDM)*. MDM is a free-meal programme started in schools by the government of India. The disruption in these meals has put children from Dalit and Adivasi communities at huge health risks.
Despite the Supreme Court’s order to ensure supply of MDM, a survey by Oxfam India shows that 35% children did not receive their mid-day meals at all. Of the remaining 65%, only 8% received cooked meals.
* Bhowmick, 2020, Status Report- Government and private schools during COVID-19 by Oxfam India
Problematic Delivery
Over 80% of parents reported that effectively no education is being delivered during the lockdown. This could be due to the lack of awareness amongst parents regarding the modes of delivery or lack of devices to access e-education.
With only 15% rural households having access to the internet, the latter seems likely. This figure is even lower for marginalized social groups.
Challenges Faced by Teachers
A disconcerting 84% teachers reported facing challenges in delivering education digitally. Two out of every five teachers lack the necessary devices to do the same. The issues are directly linked to a lack of teacher preparedness— less than 20% teachers reported receiving orientation on delivering education digitally.
Spike in school dropout rates
It is estimated that out-of-school children in India will double wherein marginalized social groups such as Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims will be disproportionately affected - girls even more so. Estimates based on data extrapolation from the Ebola outbreak show that girls might lose up to 50% of their total years of education.
With close to 40% of the teachers fearing that the prolonged school closure might lead to a third of the students not returning once schools reopens - we need to come up with a way which doesn't regress our children and their future.
What is the Solution?
Unconditional meals through MDM.
Home delivery of books- Distributing few pages of printed material using MDM and ICDS rations.
Mohalla Classes- Maintaining Social distance.
Participative disinfection- Training of staff and making washing facilities available.
Accelerated Curriculum- To account for the lost time.
Mobilise Panchayat Samitis- Mapping at-risk and vulnerable students, especially migrant children.
Free Testing of Teachers- Along with adequate equipment and insurance.