How will this gap be filled: During the Corona period, 56% of children in 15 states were promoted without education, 37% in rural areas and 19% in the city could not study online

According to the report of the School Children’s Online and Offline Learning Survey, the major disadvantage of school closures is that 75% of children have lost their ability to read.

With the decrease in corona cases, schools have started opening in many states. Meanwhile, a survey conducted in 15 states revealed that there are 56% children who could not study online due to lack of means and facilities. At the same time, due to the general promotion, these children were promoted to the next class without studying.

In such a situation, the biggest challenge is that how children who are promoted without education will be able to survive in the competition of studies. Educationists say that if special arrangements are not made for the education of such children, then they will go backward. In some of the surveyed states, separate arrangements have been made for such children, but its landing at the grassroots level seems far-fetched.

According to the report of the School Children’s Online and Offline Learning Survey, the major disadvantage of school closures is that 75% of children have lost their ability to read. There are 19% children in urban areas and 38% in rural areas who are not studying online at all.

Only 8% in rural areas and 24% in urban areas are taking regular online classes. The main reason for this is the lack of smart phones. Such children are also not able to study regularly, whose family has only one smart phone which is used by the working members of the family.

The expert said – reached the fifth, but the level is of second-third
Ritika Kheda, a member of the survey team and Associate Professor of IIT Delhi, says that the child who was admitted in the third before the lockdown reached the fifth, but his level of education is of the first or second class. The children who had the facility of online education went ahead. He said that the Center and the states should introduce bridge courses in their respective boards so that the children can do the missing studies along with the existing classes.

Need to bridge education gap
Former NCERT director JS Rajput said that the gap in the society regarding means and facilities has increased in the Corona period, will grow further. There should be a system at the government level, but it will take time, but urgent initiative is needed. Teachers should give extra time in schools according to the needs of the children. The principal should get the right to keep retired teachers or others who want to teach free of cost.

Bridge course started in 6 states