Closure of schools and students affected due to COVID-19 pandemic : Rajya Sabha Q & A

Closure of schools and students affected due to COVID-19 pandemic : Rajya Sabha Q & A

Closure of schools and students affected due to COVID-19 pandemic

1301 Shri K.C. Ramamurthy:

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:

(a) details of assessment made to find out the number of children impacted due to closure of schools in view of COVID-19 pandemic;

(b) whether it is a fact that some States are also closing Government schools in the name of rationalization;

(c) if so, the details of Government schools that have been closed down in the country during the last two years and the current year, year-wise and State-wise; and

(d) in what manner the Ministry will ensure that online classes can reach every student of the country?

(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)

(d) A multi-pronged approach has been adopted leveraging technology to reach the students. Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA), Study Webs of Active- learning for Young Aspiring Minds(SWAYAM), SWAYAM PRABHA, MANODARPAN for psychological support, PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education,  e-textbooks etc. are used by schools, colleges and universities to provide learning facilities. Where the internet facility is not available, SWAYAM PRABHA is being used to impart education through TV. Community Radio Stations and a podcast called Shiksha Vani of CBSE is also effectively used in remote areas where online classes are difficult. In addition, the Ministry has also issued the guidelines dated 13th July, 2020 for continuing education of children of migrant labourers to prevent loss of learning or academic year.

To address the issues related to gaps and/or loss of learning among students, during and after the lockdown, NCERT has prepared ‘Alternative Academic Calendar’ and ‘Students’ Learning Enhancement Guidelines’ with a focus on learning outcome. The guidelines suggest models for the following three types of scenarios:-

• i. Learning Enhancement during COVID-19 for students without digital devices.
• ii. Learning Enhancement during COVID-19 for students with limited accessibility to digital devices.
• iii. Learning Enhancement during COVID-19 for students with digital devices.