This story is from November 28, 2020

‘54% girls in Uttar Pradesh uncertain of return to school after Covid-19’

One in two girls in UP is not sure of her return to school after the Covid-19 pandemic subsides, according to a survey conducted by the Right to Education Forum (RTE Forum) along with the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) and Champions for Girls’ Education.
‘54% girls in Uttar Pradesh uncertain of return to school after Covid-19’
Representative Image
LUCKNOW: One in two girls in UP is not sure of her return to school after the Covid-19 pandemic subsides, according to a survey conducted by the Right to Education Forum (RTE Forum) along with the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) and Champions for Girls’ Education.
“About 54% girls were uncertain about returning to their schools after pandemic. Covid-19 has not only affected their learning, but has added to uncertainties of continuing their education,” noted the survey, titled ‘Gendered impact of Covid-19 on education of school aged children in India’, conducted across five states.

Chief Education, UNICEF India, Terry Durnnian and chairperson of the Bihar State Commission for Protection of Child RightBihar State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Pramila Kumari Prajapati expressed concern over the results of the study, officially shared on Thursday. Researchers pointed out that education of girls from rural and economically weaker families has already suffered due to socio-economic factors.
The survey also showed that Covid-19 has negatively affected the life of girls more than boys. “Data on time-use reveals a clearly gendered pattern with 64% girls spending their time on chores and care work and 78% of boys spending time on leisure,” it stated.
The girls felt that their mobility had been restricted making over 75% of them conclude that ‘life before Covid-19 was better’.
While there was barely any leisure time, pressures of domestic chores had gone up. Some of the girls said they had to continue with household responsibilities even during study time.
In UP, the survey included 944 households in rural and peri-urban areas of 11 districts – Ambedkarnagar, Ayodhya, Faizabad, Hamirpur, Hardoi, Kanpur, Kushinagar, Lucknow, Moradabad, Sultanpur and Rae Bareli. Nearly half of the families belonged to the SC/ST while 30% were OBC. About 15% families were Muslims.
The survey also noted that the presence of technology did not ensure access to education during pandemic. “Even though 53% had a TV set at home, only 15% reported watching educational TV shows or programmes for educational purposes… Also, most children reported having a phone at home but only 22% (21% girls against 29% boys) had access to it.
author
About the Author
Shailvee Sharda

Journalist with the Times of India since August 2004, Shailvee Sharda writes on Health, Culture and Politics. Having covered the length and breadth of UP, she brings stories that define elements like human survival and its struggle, faiths, perceptions and thought processes that govern the decision making in everyday life, during big events such as an election, tangible and non-tangible cultural legacy and the cost and economics of well-being. She keenly follows stories that celebrate hope and life in general.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA