According to a report, 1.2 billion children in 186 countries have been forced out of classrooms due to the pandemic. Sarvjeet Singh assess how education has been impacted during COVID

Covid-19 pandemic which has paralyzed the economic social life across the globe has also seen some innovation and adaptation in certain sectors. One such sector is the Learning and Education Sector which has seen a paradigm shift in the manner in which education is imparted.

According to World Economic Forum Report 1.2 billion children in 186 countries have been forced out of classrooms due to the rampaging pandemic. The enormity and magnitude of the learning deficit forced by the pandemic resulted in Education Institutes across the globe adopting e-learning successfully.

According to Clementina Lal, teacher of Frank Anthony Public School, the new teaching methodology transacted online has resulted in more intense engagement on part of both students and teachers in the teaching and learning process.

She adds that the online learning has also integrated the importance of effective time management in learning and teaching experience. Other teachers while supporting Lal also point out that pace of learning has also seen an upswing as the option of taking notes or help from friends, in adhering to the learning process or submitting assignments is no longer available for the students. For the educator it also means that the content being delivered has to conform to the highest standard as parents are likely to be witnessing the standard of teaching.

Manisha Obroi whose ward studies in St Columbus School says that as parents our involvement in the child’s learning process has grown substantially. “We are connected with the day to day learning experience of the child and are in a better position to support/substantiate/reinforce the learning. It does afford an opportunity to both parents and children to be partners in the journey of learning under the guidance of the teacher,” she says.  This has also strengthened the bond between parents and children, adds Obroi.

All, however, is not entirely positive in this new method of learning. Group assignments and learning experiences which underline the collaborative learning experience are no longer available. The absence of playground experience in school has also taken away an integral part of school years. This along with other extra curricular activities have created a huge vacuum in the overall experience of school learning.

As the uncertainty regarding the pandemic looms it is this vacuum which needs to be addressed. Some of the steps towards the same could be the following:

• Online cultural events: Some of the NGOs and Cultural Organisations have successfully conducted cultural events showcasing talents of children in diverse spheres such as dancing, singing, poetry etc. The schools can repeat that successful experience for their students.
• Fitness goals: Students to be given fitness goals through a basic regime of  cardio vascular or yogic exercises.
• Playground experience in phased manner can be opened in schools.

The extraordinary pace by schools in adapting to the situation and rapidly shifting to online learning methodology would certainly find a mention in the annals of history when the impact of Covid-19 would be assessed. The school children in their formative years have been part of this incredible fight back against the odds imposed by the pandemic. The lessons of resilience and courage in face of formidable challenges would certainly stand the young ones in good stead in future and would go a long way in making our world a better place.

The writer is Assistant General Secretary, New Delhi YMCA