What online education when 56 per cent of children haven't any access?

About 56 % of children were found to haven't any access to smartphones that have emerged as essential tools for online learning during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, according to a fresh study that surveyed 42,831 students at various school levels.

The study ‘Scenario amidst COVID 19 - Onground Situations and Possible Solutions’ was conducted by child rights NGO Smile Base with an goal of analysing the usage of technology.

The findings of the analysis showed that 43.99 per cent of surveyed children get access to smartphones and another 43.99 per cent of students get access to basic phones while 12.02 % do not have usage of either smartphones or basic phones.

A complete of 56.01 % children were found to haven't any gain access to to smartphones, the analysis said.

“Concerning television, it had been noted that while 68.99 % get access to TV, a major chunk of 31.01 % does not. Hence suggesting that using smartphone interventions for enhancing learning outcomes isn't the only answer,” it said.

At the primary degree of education (class 1 to 5) 19,576 children were surveyed while at upper primary level (class six to eight 8) 12,277 children were surveyed. At secondary level of education (category 9 to 10) 5,537 children were surveyed and at higher secondary level (class 11 to 12) 3,216 children were surveyed.

The survey predicated on that your study was conducted used two approaches - over calling wherein the NGO reached out to the children whose data source it already had-students signed up for various education centres of the NGO-and second was through community mobilization wherein community personnel went door to door to get answers.

The survey was conducted in 23 states, including Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, over a period of 12 times from April 16 to April 28.

The lockdown induced by the COVID-19 pandemic in March prompted schools and colleges to go to the virtual world for teaching and learning activities. However, many authorities declare the digital divide in the united states may turn classes on the web into an operational nightmare.

According to official statistics, there are over 35 crore learners in the united states. However, it isn't clear as to just how many of them have access to digital devices and Net.

Santanu Mishra, co-founder and executive trustee, Smile Foundation, said the findings clearly present that the digital divide is a genuine challenge, and multiple techniques need to be implemented to focus on all across the country.

“As an exercise before we begin any programme, we do a baseline study to understand the on-ground challenges so that our programmes may bring in real job and real transformation. With the onset of the pandemic, pursuing indefinite school closures, it really is more significant than ever to understand the problem and how do we make certain that children receive quality education. Through this, we recognize that customized modules ought to be built-in accordance with the channel of interaction,” he said.