90% government school students access remote learning in Gurugram: Study

A survey conducted by the department of education of Delhi reveals that around 90 percent of government school students in Gurugram district now have access to remote learning through various media. When the survey was initiated over a month ago, only around 60 percent were aware and participating in online learning through WhatsApp or televised programmes.

The survey was started in May in Gurugram to create awareness among government school students about remote learning during the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, and monitor the progress of students especially those who do not have access to any digital devices. As part of the ongoing-survey, school principals and block-level officers have been reaching out to families every day to check if students are facing any issues with remote learning.

State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) officials are conducting the survey on behalf of the education department. Officials told HT that relaxation of lockdown has helped bridge the gap between the students and remote learning. Ravinder Alawadhi, deputy director, SCERT and the survey in-charge, said, “When we started the survey over a month ago, only 60 percent of students knew about the remote lessons. However, our recent assessment show that 90 percent of them are now aware and taking part in distant learning in one way or the other.” He added that teachers were connecting with students regularly on WhatsApp or over phone calls. “The teachers have been calling students who do not have smartphones or TV to inform them about lessons and homeworks. Easing of lockdown has helped students reach out to their friends or families to exchange notes and share the day’s class work. Earlier, it wasn’t possible due to the lockdown as they were confined within their homes,” he said adding that the survey would continue.

While the department believes more government school students are gradually accessing remote lessons, volunteers believe otherwise. Viren Jain, a class 11 student of a private school who is volunteering in the programme told HT that remote learning was still a challenge for many students. “Online classes are very limited. Some teachers have been conducting it but there are students who need additional support due to lack of resources. Many have gone back to their native places and have dropped out of the classes due to lack of good Internet connection and smartphones,” he said.

Source: Hindustan Times