Topics Covered: Issues related to Education.
Impact of School closure on foundational abilities of students:
Context:
Azim Premji University conducted a field study to assess the impact of Covid- 19 induced lockdown on students.
- The study was titled ‘Loss of Learning during the Pandemic’.
Key findings:
- Children missed out on the regular curricular learning they would have acquired had schools remained open.
- They are also ‘forgetting’ what they had learnt in previous year.
- On an average, 92% of students from Classes II to VI have lost at least one specific foundational ability in languages that they may have acquired in previous years. The corresponding figure for mathematics is 82%.
What are foundational abilities?
Foundational abilities are those that form the basis for further learning. Some examples of foundational abilities include reading a paragraph with comprehension, addition and subtraction.
- In mathematics, foundation abilities include identifying single and two-digit numbers; performing arithmetic operations; using basic arithmetic operations to solve problems; and reading and drawing inferences from data, among others.
What are the challenges ahead?
When schools reopen, teachers have to be given time to cover this deficit and be provided with other support. A carefully synchronised set of measures across States will be required.
Suggestions:
Eliminating vacations, extending the academic year well into 2021 and perhaps beyond depending on when schools open and reconfiguring the syllabus.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- What are foundational values?
- Key findings of the study.
Mains Link:
Discuss the impact of Covid- 19 induced lockdown on foundational abilities of the students.
Sources: the Hindu.
