Page 44 - EducationWorld Feb 2021 Low

Cover Story

once-in-a-century Covid-19 pandemic
upon the education system — and
particularly the early childhood edu-
cation sector — lightly. “When the
city of Reggio Emilia in Italy was de-
stroyed in World War II, its citizens
resolved that before rebuilding their
homes and the city, they would first
rebuild early years learning centres to
ensure that while they are busy with
reconstruction, their youngest chil-
dren would be safe, stimulated and
wouldn’t lose their most important
years of development. My plea is that
every state and local government in
India should learn from this example.
Research studies conducted by Nobel
laureate-economist James Heckman
have conclusively proved that every
dollar invested in ECCE will reduce Private pre-primary in Gurgaon: modern ECCE providers
expenditure of $16 in remedial school
and higher education. The Central, an urgent imperative in the national tising and disinfection of schools (see
state and local governments should interest,” says Rajan. box p. 43).
urgently vaccinate all preschool and The comprehensive neglect of the In sharp contrast, not only has the
anganwadi teachers and restart day- education sector and adamantine re- Union government declined to classify
cares and preschools so that par- fusal of government to classify private private education institutions, which
ents get back to work and place the education institutions — including host 47.5 percent of all school-going
economy back on track,” advises Dr. pre-primaries — as MSMEs and thus children and 70 percent of youth in
Swati Popat Vats, president of ECA eligible for pandemic relief packages higher education as MSMEs entitled
(quoted earlier). such as soft loans, longer repayment to long-term bank credit and interest
P RAJODH RAJAN, PRESI- indicates that the country’s politi- have brazenly encouraged parents to
periods and government subsidies,
subsidies, several state governments
cians and bureaucrats are unaware of
stop paying contracted tuition fees
DENT of the EuroKids
chain of 1,105 owned and
franchised preschools, the massive relief packages provided even if their children are availing
to schools and higher education insti-
online education. As explained ear-
also urges the immediate reopening tutions in countries world over to tide lier in this report, sustained neglect
of play and preschools to recover at them over the pandemic period. compounded by shocking official ir-
least some learning loss of youngest In the US under the Coronavirus responsibility has devastated the na-
children. “As acknowledged in NEP Aid, Relief and Economic Securi- scent ECCE sector which was belatedly
2020, early childhood care and edu- ties (CARES) Act passed last March, given high importance in the National
cation plays a critical role in building $13.5 billion (Rs.98,550 crore) — a Education Policy 2020.
a foundation for lifelong learning and sum equivalent to the 2020-21 an- The plain truth is that India’s pri-
well-being for every child. Now after nual education budget of the Union vately-promoted preschools are the
almost the entire services sector has government — has been provided for only institutions that provide mod-
been opened up for resumption of additional funding of public, charter ern, globally benchmarked ECCE to
business, it’s high time that ECCE and private schools. In addition, $8.8 a small minority of the country’s 165
centres are permitted to function at billion (Rs.64,139 crore) is provided million children in the 0-5 age group.
the earliest. Several scientific studies for children’s mid-day meals during If they are not re-opened immediately
from around the world indicate low the period of schools closure; $3.5 and provided special pandemic relief
Covid infection rates among young- billion (Rs.25,510 crore) to subsidise funding, Indian education will suffer
est children. Therefore, permitting childcare of low-income households; long-term permanent damage. And
preschools to restart subject to their $750 million (Rs.5,625 crore) for the if the country’s 1.3 million AWCs are
following strict safety SOPs (standard Head Start early years education pro- not restarted, a new child malnutrition
operating procedures) prescribed by gramme and $100 million (Rs.728 and stunting pandemic will sweep the
municipal corporations/councils is crore) under Project SERV for sani- country.

44 EDUCATIONWORLD FEBRUARY 2021