Current pandemic and effects on primary education

The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the lockdown ofeducational institutions and is going to spawn considerable hurdles forthe primary learners. Primary education is the first stepof education ladder as per Kothari Commission (1964-1966) which branded itas elementary education. It is one of the first and foremost right ofevery child to have access to means which ensure his/her overall development,viz. social, economic, cognitive and cultural etc.

It opens up the minds of beginners that may not have beenexposed before, healthy classroom discussion on different subjects that willbuild social skills, problem solving skills, decision making potential anddevelop creative skills at extreme. Primary education also assist to equipbasic needs to communicate effectively were subsequent knowledge would be builton. There are various problems at primary level of education as: lack ofexperienced and adequately trained teachers with regard to digital knowledgesharing platforms, lack of appropriate implementation of primary educationpolicy, traditional approach of teaching, lack of proper inspection routine toprimary schools by relevant authorities and lack of proper management ofprimary schools.

   

In this scenario, how would primary education achieve itsends? We need to sort out what primary education is for, ensure that aimsdriving the curriculum are not merely cosmetic. Primary education is here andnow the future, the concerned authorities are supposed to address the widerconditions and needs of children in today’s multifarious world. In thisbackdrop some suggestive ways are outlined to deal with the concern as:

  • Operative steps should be taken particularly at primary education level and in this regard parents should approach school authorities to conduct online classes. Schools authorities need to assign the duties to teaching staff towards rendering teaching services online and teachers should provide information back to the institution on daily basis regarding topics covered and enrollment of students. This will not only help them in learning  but will also make teacher student communication effective and will also provide an opportunity of feedback among students & teachers. Online education is a wonderful opportunity for primary education. It is a growing market for primary educators, therefore an exciting career development opportunity. Although online teaching is relatively innovative, plan the methods, with some research goals; find yourself on the forefront of the online educational movement.
  • The toddlers should be prepared how to learn from digital education. It could definitely have lasting impact on the trajectory  of learning innovative ideas.
  • E-Learning should be initiated at home levels and through e-learning the beginners can truly embrace learning anytime, anywhere.
  • Arousing interest among school going children towards learning through virtual classroom should be built by making children familiar to various educational applications like BYJU’S, FunBrain, Khan Academy kids etc.
  • Despite a long succession of government initiatives aimed to tackle the problem of primary education, there is a great agreement that connoisseur and motivating teachers and cream of the crop working against the odds can do and we must learn from them.
  • Learning while playing and walking increases creativity among preparatory learners and can also help children to understand the material well and this is possible only through virtual classrooms.
  • The quality of primary education may reduce the cost of production and distribution of course material and make learning self-pacticing and reflective.
  • Effective communication can be developed and also immediate feedback can be provided which will reduce the stress and will definitely highlight the weaknesses of the learner i.e., where they stand and auto reinforce effect.
  • Television programmes like cartoon shows can add some preparatory lessons like rhymes, alphabet shows and number games which in addition to entertainment can help children in learning lessons. Technology is a demand in today’s world and we must be geared up for it. Primary learners ought to learn technological skills that will prepare them to compete in any field and will also help them gain knowledge of higher levels of education.  As covid-19 gave an opportunity, parents, teachers and policy makers felt a need to develop new innovative methods of digital learning.

Suriya uzma, is a Research Scholar, Dept. Of Education, Kashmir University.

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