According to the report, at least
600 million South Asian children have been threatened by the impact of Covid-19
pandemic.
A report prepared
by UNICEF
has revealed that COVID-19 pandemic in India and lockdown has "impacted"
247 million children enrolled in elementary and secondary education, besides 28
million children who were undergoing pre-school education in Anganwadi centres.
According to the report, at least 600 million South Asian children have been threatened by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
Pointing out the
revelations in India's perspective on education and learning of a child, the UN
report said, "In India, school closures have impacted 247 million children
enrolled in elementary and secondary education. It has impacted about 28
million children who were attending pre-school education in Anganwadi centres.
This is in addition to more than six million girls and boys who were already
out of school prior to the COVID-19 crisis."
However, the
report has highlighted the efforts done by the central and state government to
continue education for children through multiple e-platforms like web portals,
mobile apps, TV channels, radio and podcasts to reach children, Diksha
platform, Swayam Prabha TV channels, e-Pathshala and the National Repository of
Open Educational Resources.
In the wake of COVID-19
lockdown, recently, the National Council for Educational Research and
Training (NCERT) has prepared an alternative academic calendar for classes 1 to
12 with suggested activities to guide learning at home.
Importantly,
UNICEF report has indicated that approximately only a quarter of households (24
per cent) in India have access to the internet and there is a large rural-urban
and gender divide.
