Effect of Covid-19 pandemic on school preparedness of pre-school children in Kamrup district of Assam

ABSTRACT Learning experiences of pre-school years influence the rest of one’s life. This early period in development provides a foundation that guides children academically, socially and emotionally. Various studies from around the world highlighted the importance of pre-school education and enumerated that investment in high quality of pre-school education has the highest dividend in terms of human resource development. Adequate preparation at this stage helps the children to retain in the primary school. Kaul, Venita and et al (1992) in a study on ‘Impact of ECE on retention of Primary grades’ had observed that children with ECE experience were found to have a better retention rate in comparison to children who had direct entry in the schools. The pre-schoolars are identified as worse victim of Covid-19 pandemic. UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore observed that disruption in education caused by Covid-19 pandemic has affected the foundation upon which every aspect of children's development relies. The researcher has therefore made an effort to critically analyze the effect of Covid-19 on school preparedness of pre-school learners taking perception of teachers and parents of schools and Anganwadi centres in Kamrup district, Assam into account. The present descriptive study reveals that there is a significant effect of Covid-19 pandemic on school preparedness of pre-school children starting from motor, cognitive to social development. Thus, need of hour is to look at pre-school education from new normal and in the tune of recommendations of New Education Policy,2020 to address this emergent issue.