Subjects covered by the teachers in the online classes

 

A study was conducted by the Muttha Foundation in Nov 2020 across Maharashtra to understand the roll-out of the tech-based distance education across the state during the school closures due to COVID-19. As a part of this extensive study, 409 primary school teachers conducting tech-based distance education were interviewed. According to the study, the teachers are more worried about completing the curriculum and as in the normal times, at such times too the focus seemed to be on the subjects perceived as more important than the overall development of the child. Language (English/Marathi (90%)) and Math (90%) were the most taught subjects out of all. Only 18 percent teachers focused on subjects like art/craft/sports during the online classes. Interestingly, this figure was higher in the government schools than the private schools.

While before Covid-19 many schools included physical education, art, craft, music, dance, etc. in their regular timetables, covid-19 has made this very difficult. This focus on only regular subjects and a hurry to finish the curriculum shows that it’s difficult for the teachers to encourage a holistic learning environment for children through these online classes.

This study was conducted to understand the approach, challenges and implications of tech-based distance education for the primary school students from the government and budget private schools across Maharashtra.

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