A media report has said around 7.86 million students are at risk of learning loss as schools remained closed for almost 18 months due to the Covid pandemic. The report quoting a new study also said a good number of students were suffering from mental stress and facing risks of getting engaged in income-generating activities abandoning studies. It is shocking that the number of such students increased in August-September compared to March to suggest study loss continues rendering the nation to face a long time scar bud of our young talents. Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) and Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) ran the study. They shared the findings with journalists at a virtual press conference on Monday.
We know that the government closed schools and other educational institutions across the country on March 18 last year as part of its efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. In-person classes however resumed at the institutions on September 12 but only one day in a week for schools going students. A previous study in March by both organisations showed a lower number of study loss at 5.92 million at primary and secondary school levels. The learning crisis has worsened in the last six months. As per report about 22 per cent primary school and 30 per cent secondary school students surveyed were at risk of learning loss. It means 3.96 million primary and 3.9 million secondary students — a total of 7.86 million students — are at risk of learning loss.
Meanwhile, the dropout rate also grows higher. The decision to reopen the schools is welcome but reopening will not be enough to return students to learning. Other remedial programmes such as school games and more recreational facilities are essential to recover the mental health of primary and secondary level students. Learning loss was more prominent among male students of secondary schools compared to their female counterparts. Twenty-six percent of secondary male students were at risk in March. It increased to 34 per cent in August. The study further shows, about 40 percent of the households surveyed have no device for remote learning including online classes. About 60 per cent households have only one such device.
The teachers must not neglect their duty. It is for them to see how to improve the quality of education. They must fight not only for salary raises, they must fight also for good education. The teachers appear unconcerned because they are salaries are paid education or no education.
