Impact of COVID-19 on education

 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.09.2020 

1311 Shri B. Lingaiah Yadav: 

Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: 

(a) whether Government has noticed any impact of COVID-19 on education at each course from primary to secondary and other higher level courses and its impact on the students; and 

(b) if so, the details thereof course-wise and steps being taken to help students at each level with regard to reduction of fee, syllabus, teaching hours, etc? 

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(a) & (b) The Ministry through National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has conducted a survey in the month of July, 2020 with the help of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan(KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti(NVS) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to understand the scenario of Online Learning of school students in COVID-19 pandemic situation. With a view to addressing 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. 

The details of the survey and findings are given in Chapter – 3 of the Learning Enhancement guidelines, which may be accessed at the following links: 

1. https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/Learning_Enhancement_0.pdf

2. https://seshagun.gov.in/sites/default/files/update/Learning_Enhancement.pdf 

3. https://ncert.nic.in/pdf/announcement/Learning_%20Enhancement_Guidelines.pdf 

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. 

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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. Further, for Rationalisation of Syllabus for Summative Examinations, CBSE has reduced the syllabi only for the purpose of examinations to the extent of thirty percent. This has been done in view of change in the mode of conduct of classroom transaction which is new both for parents and teachers.