Impact of Covid 19 on Indian Education

The number of Covid cases is increasing exponentially day by day. The more would be the cases, the more would be the impact on economy. It has been estimated that the world would face 8.5 trillion dollars in the next 2 years. More than 34 million people all over the world would go below poverty. One sector which is drastically affected is education sector. Today I will focus on the same.

In our India, students are demanding the cancellation of examinations. Parents are demanding not to hike the school fees. Everywhere online classes have become a trend. Schools are stating that they do not have money to pay wages to staffs and teachers. As of 28^th June 2020, a data of UNESCO revealed that there has been a nationwide closure of educational institutions in more than 114 countries across the globe. And that affected some 1 billion students. A handful number of countries where there are no closures of schools like Australia, Sweden, and Greenland. And if we talk of India, some 32 Crore students are affected due to this pandemic. Many schools have stopped teaching, and many have started online classes. But one thing to focus on that online classes are not a good option to go with for long run. In India, only two states are there which has more than 40% people with internet as their households. Rest of the states have 10-20% people with internet facilities. And on top of that many people have gone down below poverty line who were daily wage labors. These people would not have any choice of sending their children to schools. Rather they would like them to go to work so that some earnings could be accrued.

2017-18 NSSO data shows that in rural India, boys drop out of schools midway. Two reasons, financial constraints, and economic work

Fees Hike in India

2014 NSSO data stated that a normal family which comprises of husband, wife and two children. 20% of their income is spent in education. Parents across the country have knocked the doors of Supreme court to for seeking moratorium on school fees during this pandemic. Delhi, Assam, Maharastra govt acted. Maharashtra issued an order of no hike in school fees this year or else they must face penalty.

In 2010, CAG audited 25 schools and the report says that 13 out of 25 schools takes 50% school fees which are unnecessary. Justice Anil Dev Singh committee checked the accounts of 1100 Delhi schools out of which 80% were indicted. There was no need to raise fees based on 6^th pay commission, which they did so. High Court and Supreme Court have set the parameters that education sector should not be indulged in profit making organization. For capital expenditure there should not be any fees, only revenue expenditure there should be fees and that is too the same which needs to be spent of children. No parents would deny spending on children.

Stress for Children

Many places it has been seen that anxiety and stress have taken over on students. Sitting for long time in front of laptops, computers with headset is stressful. A 14 year Kerala student committed suicide for not been able to attend online classes. For primary classes, online classes are the worst thing to rely on. On paper 15 states made legislations to regulate fees hike of private schools. Only 4 states in India where parents included in the regulatory body regulate the fees hike. Denmark is the only country who took decision of re-opening school with all necessary precautions like social distancing and wearing masks. India should also think of such alternative.

My View – Parents should be included in the regulatory body of schools. This would collectively land up on a decision of whether the fees should be hiked or not and if yes under what circumstances. Second, open book exams should be conducted through out the country which will give students free hands in thinking out of the box, searching internet and appearing the exams which would help them think strategically rather than learning by heart and appearing exams. All state government and central government should think of making internet available to the rural India which would be a great help in reducing child labor. Right to education should be a prime objective for all children and students across the country. Everybody should think of getting education.