Opinion | 'Rise in School Dropouts': Online Education in Rural India | Reality Check, Big Challenges

A recent survey – School Children's Online and Offline Learning (SCHOOL) – of nearly 1,400 underprivileged school children in rural India, has revealed shocking details, as a result of prolonged school closure and online studies, since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. The survey was conducted to study the impact of lockdown on the education system, especially in Rural India. Economist, social scientist, and activist Jean Drèze, who was part of the team conducting the survey, spoke to The Quint on the reality on the ground, the big challenges, and alternatives.