Abstract: As schools reopen, following the longest interruption, multiple challenges await: unpredictability of the new normal; resuming of teaching-learning that resembles starting over; and a growing learning gap. The close entanglements and interdependence between public health, livelihoods and educational access have become clearer during the pandemic. Surveys over the last two years have drawn attention to two issues: (1) parents, especially from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, want to see their children in schools, as there have been serious constraints on access, and (2) it is expected that, even as schools reopen, a number of students will be ‘missing’ at least this year.
In this talk I examine the recent documents on school reopening and instructional planning, and discuss supportive policy measures and re-framing of learning outcomes, as essential steps towards stabilizing education.
About the speaker: Dr. Shivali Tukdeo is an Associate Professor in the Education Programme under the School of Social Sciences at NIAS.