Lok Sabha Question No. 3405 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-09
Subject: Closure of Government Schools
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Upendra Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3405

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2021

## Closure of Government Schools

## 3405.    SHRI UPENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of assessment made to find out the number of children impacted due to closure of schools in view of COVID-19 pandemic;
- (b) whether it is a fact that some States are also closing Government schools in the name of rationalization;
- (c) if so, the details of Government schools that have been closed down in the country during the last two years and the current year, year-wise and State/UT-wise; particularly in Uttar Pradesh; and
- (d) the manner by which the Government ensures that online classes can reach every student of the country, State/UT-wise including Uttar Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a)  During COVID-19 Pandemic, Ministry of Education has held several consultations with the states and UTs at various levels and taken many initiatives  to ensure that the school going students don't lag behind in their studies during COVID-19 pandemic. Further, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has conducted a survey in the month of July, 2020 with the help of Kendriya Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS),  Navodaya  Vidyalaya  Samiti  (NVS)  and  Central  Board  of  Secondary Education  (CBSE)  to  understand  the  scenario  of  Online  Learning  of  school  students  in  COVID-19 pandemic situation.

(b) & (c) Education being in the concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools are under the domain of respective State and UT Governments. The opening and closing of schools are within  the  purview  of  State  Governments  and  UT  Administrations.    No  such  data  is  maintained centrally.

(d)            A  multi-pronged  approach  has  been  adopted  leveraging  technology  to  reach  the  students  in States/UTs  including  Uttar  Pradesh.  Digital  Infrastructure  for  Knowledge  Sharing  (DIKSHA),  study webs of active-learning  for  young  aspiring  minds  (SWAYAM),   PRAGYATA guidelines on digital education,  e-textbooks and e-content on national repository of open educational resources (NROER), online  virtual  labs  (OLABS)  for  practical's  related  e-content,  activity-based  and  highly  engaging modules for special resources for teachers focusing upon experiential learning and competency-based education, NISHTHA (national initiative for school heads and teachers for their holistic advancement) online for capacity building programme for elementary school teachers and school heads etc. are used by schools, to provide learning facilities.

Where  the  internet  facility  is  not  available,  Ministry  of  Education  has  taken  many initiatives  like  One Class One Channel of SWAYAM PRABHA is being used to impart education through TV and One DTH channel is being operated specifically for hearing impaired students in sign language.    Community  Radio  Stations  and  a  podcast  called  Shiksha  Vani  of  CBSE,  Textbooks, worksheet  supplied  to  residence  of  learners,  Handbook  on  21 st Century  Skills  Handbook  on  21 st Century Skills and community/mohalla classes are being organized. Innovation Funds of Department of School Education & Literacy used to set up  mobile school, virtual studios, virtual class rooms in schools,  Continuous  Learning  Plan  (CLP)  for  States/UTs  has  been  initiated  in  all  States/UTs,  preloaded tablets under Samagra Shiksha in various states and UTs are effectively used in remote/rural areas where online classes are difficult. In addition, the Ministry has also issued the guidelines dated 13 th July, 2020 for continuing education of children of migrant labourers to prevent loss of learning or academic year.

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