Page 43 - EW April 2021

Alarming foundational learning loss
Maths learning loss
study titled Loss of Learning During the Pandemic con- • An average 82% of children have lost at least one specific
A ducted in January (2021) by the Azim Premji University, mathematical ability of the previous year in all classes. Illus-
Bengaluru (APU, estb.2010) reveals the extent and nature of tratively, these specific abilities include identifying single and
the ‘forgetting/ regression’ learning loss (i.e, what was learnt two-digit numbers; performing arithmetic operations; using
earlier but has now been lost) among children in public (gov- basic arithmetic operations for problem solving; describing
ernment) schools shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic. 2D/3D shapes; reading and drawing inferences from data.
The study covered 16,067 children in 1,137 public schools in • 67% of children in class II, 76% in class III, 85% in class
44 districts of five states of the Indian Union of 28 states and IV, 89% in class V and 89% in class VI have lost at least one
seven Union territories. specific ability of the previous year.
Well-qualified APU field researchers (mainly teachers) test- “The extent and nature of learning loss is serious enough
ed four specific capabilities of class II-VI children in language to warrant action at all levels. Policy and processes to iden-
and mathematics. “These four specific abilities for each grade tify and address this loss are necessary as children return to
were chosen because they are essential for subsequent learn- schools. Supplemental support, whether in the form of bridge
ing — in all subjects. Therefore, loss of any one ability will have courses, extended hours, community-based engagements
very serious consequences on all further learning,” says the and appropriate curricular material, will be needed to help
study report. The key findings of the study are given below. children (re) gain the(se) foundational abilities when they
Language learning loss return to school. It follows that teacher capacity to ensure
• An average 92% of children in all classes have lost at least student learning in these unusual circumstances must be in
one specific language capability (whatever the medium of focus, particularly with respect to pedagogy and assessment
instruction) acquired in the previous year. Illustratively, these needed to deal with students at diverse learning levels. And
specific abilities include describing a picture or experiences most importantly, teachers must be given enough time to
orally; reading familiar words; reading with comprehension; compensate for both kinds of learning loss — and we must
writing simple sentences based on a picture. not rush into promoting children to the next class,” warn the
• 92% of children in class II, 89% in class III, 90% in class authors of this valuable field tests-based study.
IV, 95% in class V, and 93% in class VI have lost at least one
specific ability from the previous year. Source: www.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in

non-performing government schools, country’s iniquitous socio-economic
they have been deliberately excluded pyramid, has also emerged as a major
from the MSME category. It’s shame- pain point for private school promot-
ful that the Centre and states are ers and managements.
taking advantage of the pandemic to Despite middle class managers
force the bankruptcy of BPS all over and organised sector employees being
the country. This is anti-national and substantially spared layoffs and salary
highly condemnable,” says Dr. Parth cuts during the pandemic lockdown —
Shah, former professor of econom- the hardest hit have been MSME em-
ics at Michigan University, USA and ployees and migrant labour — encour-
founder-president of the Delhi-based aged by populist politicians intent on
Centre for Civil Society (estb.1997), a harvesting their votes, parents across
highly-reputed think tank and men- the country are reneging on paying
tor of NISA (National Independent contracted school fees. With several
Schools Alliance) which has a mem- state governments issuing notifica-
bership of 60,000 BPS countrywide. tions at their behest directing private
Unfortunately for private — es- Shah: deliberate exclusion school managements to collect only
pecially budget — school promoters, 70 percent of tuition — and no other
most of whom have invested their life are not the only stumbling blocks. — fees, numerous parent associations
savings in establishing schools with- Post-independence India’s freeload- are refusing to pay contracted fees,
out any help from risk-averse public ing middle class which has become even if their children are availing on-
sector banks (PSBs) managed by le- accustomed to non-merit subsidies line classes.
thargic, over-promoted clerks, and the for piped water, electricity, higher “Ever since the 1970s when then
ideologically hostile neta-babu broth- education etc, grabbed at the cost prime minister Indira Gandhi packed
erhood which frames public policy, of the majority at the bottom of the the Supreme Court with ‘committed’

APRIL 2021 EDUCATIONWORLD 45