RANCHI: A survey on primary education carried out by a non-governmental organisation, Gyan Vigyan Samiti (GVS), in rural parts of Jharkhand has revealed that a vast majority of students have not been able to access online classes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The survey found that there has been a general decline in the learning level of students as well. The outfit will soon submit its report to the state government along with its recommendations.
Releasing the report, the national general secretary of GVS, Dr Kasi Nath Chatterjee, batted for the reopening of schools with necessary precautions.
Chatterjee said, “The GVS members conducted a survey among students and parents in 17 districts. The survey revealed that 93.6% students belonging to the weaker sections of society do not have their own mobile phone. Only 5.3 % of them are actually studying online while others have to depend on different modes like videos.”
According to the report, among the students attending online classes, only 12.8% said that they could understand the subjects properly. A large majority of students are detached from their studies and they have also forgotten the knowledge they had acquired earlier.
The report said that the learning level has fallen considerably among the students, adding that if they were promoted for the second time in a row without examination, then several students would likely drop out of the classes.
The GVS survey further stated that 93.1% people said that the standard of education has declined in the state while 92% said that schools should be reopened with proper precautionary measures.
It said that renovation of school buildings, vaccination of teachers and supply of masks and sanitizers were essential for restarting schools. It added house-to house survey must be carried out to ensure that children go to school after the reopening.
The survey was carried out in 877 villages under 620 panchayats in 17 districts among farmers, daily workers, small traders, contract labourers and permanent employees. The districts surveyed were Giridih, Palamu, Dhanbad, Koderma, Khunti, Bokaro, Latehar, Garhwa, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara, East Singhbhum, Sahibganj, Ramgarh, Lohardaga, Ranchi and Pakur.
