GREEN

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In the current situation there are two ways to look at the educational sector. There is a negative side to the whole thing and at the same time there is a positive side - the impact on the educational sector.

Obviously for students who were in their graduating year, there is a lot of uncertainty when their courses will resume, when could they complete them, etc. In addition to this there is uncertainty for those who have applied for job placements.

The positive side to this is that the classroom concept is going to change forever. Those who were hesitant to go in for digital learning, long distance learning, etc. would now have now choice but to opt for them. There is going to be a steep learning curve for all of us who are in the educational sector from the teaching side, those who are service providers in terms of technology and in terms of those who are recipients of the educational system, which are students.

The other thing is this is a period where there is a possibility for reflection. Most of the time when we are in the term we are almost running through the course like an express train. However, for those who want to take this period as a period of reflection on what they have done, not done, like the reading they have not done, it turns out as the perfect time to catch up on grey zones which they haven’t understood.

In a country like India there is a huge heterogeneity in terms of people’s access to technology, people’s access to infrastructure, etc. I can’t imagine people going to municipality schools would have the same opportunity for home schooling, online learning availability in comparison to someone from a rich/middle class family.

If one thinks of the first generation learning which most of Goa is, what kind of home schooling can such a kid get? Especially if his/her parents are themselves not educated. So, I think that those who have easier access to home education will fair better. This is where the community and volunteers could make a big difference. Volunteers would have to take the extra step and go out to help kids.

My personal experience as soon as lockdown was announced was not that of panic. The first night when the lockdown took place, we drove out at night to see if any shop was open. We found one chicken shop operating with a candlelight, we picked the few kgs of meat he was left with. We later stocked food items for a week as that’s what the initial lockdown period was expected to be. Later as we realized it could 10, 15, 20 days etc. yes - then there was a panic around. However, after the second week as transportation of food items, vegetables etc. improved, the panic among people reduced.

Once things resume to normality, markets open and the lockdown is over I doubt anything would change. People have a very short memory. So, once we reopen people will forget everything after few days and go back to how they were. Unless there is a bigger shock on its way. As of now I do not see any learning taking place. However, I hope the curve flattens soon and people can normally interact with one another.

Green, would be the colour I associate to hope – Pranab Mukhopadhyay (Economics Professor - Goa University)

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