Jharkhand hasn’t done its homework right. It has the “world record of longest continuous closure of primary schools.” Economist Jean Dreze wrote to Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday last warning of the “catastrophic state of elementary education” in the State. The worst aspect of the crisis, he said “is not economic or even the health crisis, it’s the schooling crisis.”

And though the economy may pick up and adults will return relatively soon to their normal lives, children “may pay the price for their entire life. A small minority of privileged children are able to continue studying online during this period, but online education doesn’t work for poor kids, most have been virtually abandoned by the schooling system for two years.”

In the age group of 8-12 years, the 2011 census was 90%-odd and by 2020 most kids that age must have been literate. But a survey today of kids among poor Adivasi/Dalit families reveals “a majority have lost the ability to read a simple sentence.” When schools reopen, many  will recover their ability to read and write, but “many will not — they will become de facto drop-outs.”

Thus, he suggested: plan for a “massive literacy” campaign for primary school children in the next two years, ‘to ensure no child in Jharkhand is deprived of a chance to learn to read and write.’ Plus have adequate provision in the forthcoming Budget. Will Soren heed for Jharkhand’s children? —INFA

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