Open AccessThe Impact of COVID 19 Biological Emergencies on Child Education in East Delhi, India
Author(s) -
Anjali Diwakar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of scientific research in science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2395-602X
pISSN - 2395-6011
DOI - 10.32628/ijsrst207390
Subject(s) - sanitation , attendance , compromise , enforcement , absenteeism , environmental health , medicine , food security , syllabus , economic growth , business , medical education , political science , psychology , geography , pedagogy , economics , social psychology , archaeology , pathology , law , agriculture
The increase in viral diseases intensity and frequency poses a threat to community infrastructure and affects the total well-being of children in regard to: access to food, health, school attendance, access to clean water and sanitation, physical and social security. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, this article provided an overview of biological disasters and their potential effects on children’s access to quality education in East Delhi. The purpose of the study was to analyse school children’s specific vulnerabilities to biological disasters that need to be taken into account in policy development. Research indicated that viral diseases cause loss of learning hours, loss of qualified personnel, outbreak of airborne diseases, high absenteeism and low syllabus coverage leading to children’s poor academic performance. Children noted a range of experiences, from food insecurity to being withdrawn from school and sometimes forced into early marriages. These challenges compromise children’s rights and access to quality education. This article therefore recommended that a culture of safety be promoted through disaster education, development of good medical facilities and enforcement of medical treatment guidelines. Findings also supported the need for adaptation strategies to ensure that the risks specific to school children are addressed.