Lok Sabha Question No. 1233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-06
Subject: Learning Methods for Students with and without Digital Devices
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Sushil Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1233 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2021

## Learning Methods for Students with and without Digital Devices

1233. SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the number of students have increased in the Government schools during the pandemic; (b)  if  so,  then  by  what  magnitude  and  the  reasons  for  increased  enrolments  in  the Government schools; (c)  whether  the  Ministry  or  any  body  under  its  administrative  control  has  done  any conscious effort to gauge the learning levels in students with access and without access to  smartphones  keeping  in  view  that  there  were  separate  learning  resources  for  the
2. students who did not have access to smartphone during the pandemic,
3. (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, who is responsible in this regard?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

- (a)  to  (d):  The  Department  of  School  Education  and  Literacy  has  launched  an Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education - Samagra Shiksha with effect from 2018-19 which envisages school education as a continuum from pre-school to senior secondary level and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for  all.  Under  the  scheme,  financial  assistance  is  provided  to  States  and  UTs  for undertaking various activities to increase enrolment at all levels and to reduce number of  Out  of  School  Children  (OoSC).  Also,  mid-day  meal  is  provided  to  students  at  the elementary level of education.

Further, Section 10 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 states that it shall be the duty of every parent or guardian to admit or cause  to  be  admitted  his  or  her  child  or  ward,  as  the  case  may  be,  for  elementary education in the neighbourhood school.

During  the  pandemic,  the  Ministry  of  Education  has  taken  various  steps  for providing  continued  access  to  education,  which  are  available  to  each  category  of students irrespective of  their  region  or economic  standard. A  comprehensive initiative called PM  e-Vidya  has  been  started  which  aims  to  unify  all  efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable multi-mode access to education. The initiative includes all forms of digital modes to provide wide access- DIKSHA (online), SWAYAM (online),  SWAYAM  PRABHA  (TV),  other  TV  Channels  including  use  of  Doordarshan and  AIR  Networks.  Further,  an  Alternate  Academic  Calendar  has  been  prepared  for learning  solutions  for  grade  1  to  12  for  both  children  with  and  without  device.  Also, PRAGYATA  guidelines  were  issued  to  States/UTs  to  facilitate  continued  education through  various  modes.  The  guidelines  inter-alia  include  situation  where  internet connectivity is not available or available with very less bandwidth, resources are shared through various platforms like television, radio etc that do not depend on internet.

A  sample  based  National  Achievement  Survey  across  the  country  has  been conducted  on  12 th   November  2021  for  Grade  3,  5,  8  and  10  students  of  State Government schools, Government Aided schools, Private Unaided recognized schools and Central Government schools for assessing the achievement of learning outcomes of the students.

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