Bengaluru: The basic study conducted by the Ministry of Education has shown that around 40% -50% of children in class 1-3 have not yet achieved the suitable competence in counting and 35% -40% in literacy up to 18 months of school closure induced.
The next academic year, 2022-23, in Karnataka will be declared a year of recovery learning with a full focus on bridging this gap.
Following the annual status of reports and educational studies by Azim Premensi University concerning learning losses among children, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka (SSK) also conducted a basic study.
While research is underway for class 6-8, grade 1-5 students show serious learning losses due to school closure.
In accordance with research, 40% of children have not yet achieved competence in literacy skills in grade 1, 36% in grade 2 and 35% in class 3.
About 22% has reached a portion of these values.
In calculating, 49% have not acquired skills in class 1, 48% in grade 2 and 41% in class 3.
In class 4 and 5, from 5,79,194 children, 25% can read stories, 22% can read paragraphs and 26% can read words, 19% can identify letters and 9% are at the beginner level (even unable to identify letters).
In recognition, 61% can recognize the number of 3 digits, 26% two digits, 9% one digit and 4% are at the beginner level.
About 79% can solve the problem of two digit additions, 67% of two-digit reduction problems, 48% can solve two digits with one digit doubling and a two-digit of two digits by one digit division.
“The loss is clear because the closure of a prolonged school, which is expected because many studies have shown throughout the world.
Now, all efforts will be made to bridge the gap.
The curriculum for the next academic year will handle core competencies and then the next curriculum,” said S Selva Kumar , Primary Secretary, Department of Pratama and Medium Education.
SSK and the State Education Department, research and training worked on the curriculum for the next academic year.
According to the plan, the first three months will be dedicated solely for basic and numerated literacy, where the basic reading skills and calculations will be taught.
In the next three months, children will be taught concepts from their two previous classes.
Namely, if a student is in grade 5, competence from grade 3 and 4 when they cannot attend the physical class will be taught.
In the past four months, competencies based on the portion of the current academic year will be taught.
Thus, a full year will focus on bridging gaps from previous years and continuing.
The department has planned a similar program for 2021-22 too.
Although there are some work done, no separate funds allocated and school must rely on the company’s social responsibility funds to get the worksheet provided by the department.
It is not mandatory to attend school.
In addition, only 1-6 classes are included in the program.
Next year, all values will be borne.
“A separate worksheet will be given to all schools.
The teacher will be trained, and the handbook will be distributed between the teacher,” said an official.
Karnataka: 35-50% loss of learning in grade 1-3 children because of a pandemic
