In times of epidemic, for education, the relationship between home and school should be close

Like other countries, the education system in our country has also been formed on the basis of many presuppositions.  Children of the specified age are enrolled in the prescribed class.  They are taught from the textbook based on the syllabus of the same class.  After a year the children move on to the next class.  Under the Free and Compulsory Education Bill (RTE Act), this cycle starts from six years.
According to this, children reach the first grade at six years, fifth by 10 years and eighth by 14 years.  By the age of 14, the primary and upper primary education stage is completed.  Even before the pandemic, was this concept correct?  If so, for whom?  Looking at the ground situation in 2020 or earlier, there was a need to change many perceptions.  For example, despite the RTE Act, a large number of children were reaching the first standard before they were six years old.
According to the 2018 survey, 28.5 per cent of children in the first grade in government schools in villages were below six years of age and in private schools the figure was around 20 per cent.  At the same time, the number of children 8 years or older in class 1 was 9% in government schools, but in private schools the ratio was closer to 22.5 percent.  Analysis of the data clearly shows that the level of reading and writing of the children who are older is better than the rest of the children.  In private schools, children are often admitted in LKG-UKG, not in the first.
By the time they reach the first grade, they are many years older than they are aware of the school methods of education.  So they struggle with the syllabus of the first.  It is not in the interest of children to start formal education at an early age.  As children grow, so does their cognitive development.  The available first grade curriculum would have been designed keeping in mind the potential of a six year old child.
If the children are young, they would not benefit from this course.  Recognizing this reality, it has been said in the New Education Policy 2020 that the stage up to 3-8 years should be considered as the basic stage or foundation stage.  Three years of pre-primary and two years of primary education should be available to all children.
Now the trouble has increased in the era of Corona.  The month of August is about to end.  In an ordinary year, a few months of studies would have taken place by now.  But due to the closure of the school for one and a half years, people in the family and in the school are confused.  Today the child whose name is written in class II has never gone to school.
When schools will open, what syllabus, from which textbook will you teach them?  Would it be appropriate to use a textbook?  Similarly, the children of the first did not get anganwadi or any kind of pre-primary education.  From where and how to start their formal education?
Looking at today’s reality, now we have to take many important decisions.  First, activities focused on all-round development should be planned in pre-primary education.  If the foundation is made right, then the building will become strong.  This year, let us set aside the existing curriculum of I and II for the time being and adopt the goals and methods of learning of pre-primary education.
The instructions for ‘Nipun Bharat’ have been announced.  But this year in every state, understanding the situation, make a suitable plan keeping in view the preparation in the education system.  Second, in the pandemic, family members in every household have helped in the education of the children.  It is necessary to take the parents along, only then they will be able to support the children at home.  Thirdly, Corona is not gone yet.
Even if schools open, there is a possibility of sudden closure tomorrow.  Therefore, it is imperative to build closer home-school relations and increase trust in each other.  Instead of worrying about class wise for first-second children, focus on the foundation of their development, both at home and in school.  Together, this journey will be successful.