Future education policies need to account for school disruptions: CB
View(s):Given the difficulties students have been experiencing over the past 3-4 years, future policies should be adjusted with consideration given to the impact of disruptions to the learning outcomes of students at all levels within the public education system, the recently released Central Bank’s Annual Report of 2022 stated.
The report said a concerted effort is required to enhance the quality of online learning outcomes and infrastructure base, novel assessment methods, and upgradability of syllabi to upskill the labour force across all education levels, while aligning them with the sectoral priorities of the country.
An assessment conducted last year on achievement levels of foundational skills in literacy and numeracy of Grade 3 students in Sri Lanka has revealed very poor percentages of literacy skills and numeracy skills, the report highlighted.
Only 6% of students have achieved all foundational skills in literacy, while about 7% have achieved all skills in numeracy.
“Prolonged school closures following the Covid-19 outbreak and the spillover effects of the unprecedented economic crisis in the country led to an increase in school dropouts among vulnerable households,” the report stated. School dropouts in the primary sector increased to 9,269 in 2020, from 8,834 in 2019, and school dropouts are likely to have further increased in 2022.
According to the report, in 2021 the total number of students in government schools was 4,048,937. However, this number has gone down by 24,730 last year. The number of students in 2022 was 4,024,207.
“Vulnerable households opted to cut education expenses as a coping strategy amidst the economic distress. Children from low-income households faced further difficulties due to shortages of stationery and school supplies, and soaring prices of such items caused by galloping inflation amidst the financial hardships of households during 2022, indicating the possible risks of widening inequalities in learning outcomes,” the report portrayed the grim reality students faced last year.
Last year’s annual report said around 40% of the population had resorted to livelihood-based coping strategies by reducing their spending on education and health, which could eventually lead to deterioration in long-term nutritional conditions and well-being.
“Investing in education, particularly targeting the vulnerable population, remains crucial, as education and malnutrition show a strong inverse relationship,” the report stated.
-NF
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