CBPS engaging with the issues emanating out of the COVID-19 Pandemic

CBPS has engaged with the issue of pandemic and its implications on various issues such as education and work, and published a few newspaper articles both in print and digital media. In some cases, our opinions were covered by the newspaper articles. Some of these are listed here:

  • Confluence (Science, Scientists and Society), Indian Academy of Sciences has published an article by Dr. Jyotsna Jha titled, ‘The online teaching experience at higher levels: teachers struggling to make sense of it’ on 20 November 2021. The article has been published in a series titled ‘Still Online: Higher Education in India’ on the Confluence website.
  • Mr. Madhusudhan B V Rao was asked for quotations by a journalist for an article published in Deccan Herald titled ‘Signs of economic recovery in Karnataka; experts hold their horses’. It was published on 19 September 2021.
  • Youth Ki Awaaz has published an article titled ‘We’ll ‘Allow’ Our Daughters To Complete Class 12, That’s More Than Our Relatives’. It was published on 15 September 2021.  In this article, a link to the report (which is uploaded on the CBPS website) titled, ‘Report – Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India‘ has been mentioned.
  • The New Indian Express has published an article titled ‘Closure of schools catastrophic for the poor in last 18 months: Report’. It was published on 7 September 2021. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted in Bihar during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge to what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • Gaon Connection published an article titled ‘Back To School: Classrooms have reopened in Uttar Pradesh, but where are the textbooks, ask students’. It was published on 4 September 2021. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted in Bihar during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge to what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • Gaon Connection published an article titled ‘Primary schools reopen in Uttar Pradesh after 18 months; excited teachers, notebooks and midday meal welcome the children’. It was published on 1 September 2021. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted in Bihar during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge to what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • BBC News published an article titled, ‘Covid in India: Tackling lack of online learning in Delhi’s slums’ on 6 July 2021. In this article, a link to the report (which is uploaded on the CBPS website) titled, ‘Report – Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India‘ has been mentioned.
  • Counterview has published an article titled, ‘Rural Karnataka: Dependence on small time clinics, quacks; lack of trust in govt hospitals’ on 13 June 2021. This was based on a discussion titled, ‘Rural Realities | Karnataka Practitioners’ Experiences In Tackling The Second Wave’ organised by Centre for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS) and Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi on 21 May 2021, wherein, Dr. Jyotsna Jha was a discussant.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha has been quoted in an article titled, ‘Hope embedded in despair’ (Discussions on the role of online education offer valuable insights on the way forward for higher education), published in The Hindu on 5 June 2021.
  • Youth ki Awaaz published an article titled, ‘Rural Realities | Karnataka Practitioners’ Experiences In Tackling The Second Wave’ on 31 May 2021. This was based on a discussion titled, ‘Rural Realities | Karnataka Practitioners’ Experiences In Tackling The Second Wave’ organised by Centre for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS) and Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi on 21 May 2021, wherein, Dr. Jyotsna Jha was a discussant.
  • A short audio clip on the insights of the panel can be viewed here wherein, Dr. Jyotsna Jha highlights the need to Strengthen Leadership and Accountability During Pandemic. It was published on 29 May 2021. This was based on a discussion titled, ‘Rural Realities | Karnataka Practitioners’ Experiences In Tackling The Second Wave’ organised by Centre for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS) and Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi on 21 May 2021, wherein, Dr. Jyotsna Jha was a discussant.
  • Thrive Global has published an article on 27 May 2021 titled, ‘Will India’s Second COVID-19 Wave Reverse Gender Equality For Years to Come? – From fears of dropping out of school to getting married young, Indian girls brave the worst of the pandemic’. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge till what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was asked for quotations by a journalist for an article published in Quartz India titled, ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has left thousands of Indians unemployed—perhaps forever’. It was published on 21 May 2021.
  • Mr. Madhusudhan B V Rao was asked for quotations by a journalist for an article published in Citizen Matters Bengaluru titled, ‘BBMP budget: Is 336 cr enough to manage Covid, fix a broken healthcare system?’. It was published on 16 April 2021.
  • Youth ki Awaaz published an article titled, ‘Pandemic And Union Budget 2021: Implementation And The Way Forward’ on 19 February 2021. This was based on a discussion titled, ‘Pandemic & Union Budget 2021 Implementation and the way forward’ organised by the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) and Counterview on 8 February 2021 wherein, Dr. Jyotsna Jha was one of the panelist.
  • The Tribune published an article titled, ‘Budget a let-down on the education front’ on 16 February 2021. Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) in alliance with Malala Fund conducted a study in this regard in districts of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Delhi. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • Youth Ki Awaaz published an article titled, ‘District Development, Data And Diversity: Lessons And The Way Forward’ on 1 January 2021. This was based on a discussion titled, ‘District Development, Data and Diversity: Lessons and the Way Forward’ orgainsed by Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi and US India Policy Institute (USIPI), Washington, D.C., on 2 November 2020 wherein, Dr. Jyotsna Jha was one of the panelist.
  • mint published an article titled, ‘Experts call for a spending boost’ on 30 December 2020. This was based on a session organised by mint and was held on 28 December 2020 titled, ‘Pandemic, unemployment, inequality: The way forward’ wherein Dr. Jyotsna Jha was one of the panelists.
  • IndraStra Global published an article titled, ‘District Development, Data and Diversity: Lessons and the Way Forward’ on 24 December 2020. This was based on a discussion titled, ‘District Development, Data and Diversity: Lessons and the Way Forward’ orgainsed by Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi and US India Policy Institute (USIPI), Washington, D.C., on 2 November 2020 wherein, Dr. Jyotsna Jha was one of the panelist.
  • BIC Talks published a podcast titled, ‘Girls Out of School (with Jyotsna Jha) – Pandemic worsens the gender gap’ on 2 December 2020.
  • The Times of India has published an article titled, ‘54% girls in Uttar Pradesh uncertain of return to school after Covid-19’ on 28 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • The Times of India published an article title, ‘Bengaluru: Girls spending more time on chores than lessons; report’ on 27 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • Aaj Tak published an article titled, ‘स्कूली लड़कियों पर कैसा पड़ेगा कोरोना महामारी का असर, चौंकाती है ये स्टडी’ on 27 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • ABP News published an article titled, ‘लड़कियों की स्कूली शिक्षा पर कोरोना की मार, करोड़ों की छूट सकती है पढ़ाई- स्टडी’ on 27 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • Local Dibba published an article titled,’क्या कोरोना के बाद स्कूल नहीं लौट सकेंगी लड़कियां? स्टडी में सामने आईं चौंकने वाली बातें’ on 26 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • News18 Hindi published an article titled, ‘देश के 5 राज्यों में हुआ सर्वे, स्कूली लड़कियों पर कोरोना का भयावह असर, करोड़ों छोड़ेंगी पढ़ाई’ on 26 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • The Times of India published an article titled, ‘Covid blow: 37% girls from poor families uncertain of returning to school’ on 27 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • collegedunia.com has published an article titled, ‘Report Says 37% Students Unsure of Returning to School in 5 States’ published on 26 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • Hindustan published an article titled, ‘कोरोना महामारी का स्कूली छात्राओं पर दिखेगा भयावह असर, स्टडी में दावा’ on 26 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • News by Career 360 published an article titled, ‘37% students in five states unsure of returning to school: Report’ on 26 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • EastMojo published an article titled, ‘How COVID-19 pandemic could severely hurt education of girls in India’ on 25 November 2020. Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) in alliance with Malala Fund conducted a study in this regard in districts of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Delhi.
  • Speed News Today published an article titled, ‘Crisis of Corona might put a full stop to the education of millions of girls’ on 24 November 2020. It is based on the Release of the Report titled, ‘Life in the Time of Covid-19 – Mapping the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of school going children especially girls in India’.
  • DNA has published an article titled, ‘No work, no money, no school: Children face an uncertain future’ written by Dr. Jyotsna Jha and Ms. Neha Ghatak. It was published on 20 November 2020.
  • News18 Hindi has published an article on 14 November 2020 titled, ‘लड़कियों के लिए डिजिटल माध्यम बेकार, 2 करोड़ लड़कियां नहीं लौट सकेंगी स्कूल’. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge till what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • Kathfodwa has published an article on 14 November 2020 titled, ‘कोरोना का कहर: लड़कियों की पढ़ाई पर फुल स्टॉप लगने का खतरा बढ़ा’. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted in Bihar during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge till what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • Quint Hindi has published an article on 13 November 2020 titled, ‘कोरोना: लड़कों के मुकाबले लड़कियों की पढ़ाई बंद होने का खतरा बढ़ा कोरोना संकट के बाद तकरीबन 2 करोड़ लड़कियां स्कूल नहीं लौट सकेंगी’. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted in Bihar during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge till what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • News Click has published an article on 13 November 2020 titled, ‘कोरोना का क़हर: लड़कियों की पढ़ाई पर फुल स्टॉप लगने का ख़तरा बढ़ा आंकड़ों के मुताबिक कोरोना खत्म होने के बाद भी कई कम और मध्यम आय वाले देशों को मिलाकर तकरीबन 2 करोड़ लड़कियां स्कूल नहीं लौट सकेंगी। इन देशों में भारत भी शामिल है।’. The article was based on a collaborative study conducted in Bihar during COVID-19 by the Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) with support from Malala Fund. The aim of the study was to understand and gauge till what extent digital learning has been useful for girls’ during the closure of schools.
  • Deccan Herald (DH Radio) published a podcast titled, ‘This Bengaluru-based NGO uses postcards to mentor children in Bihar’ on 25 September 2020. It is based on the CBPS post-COVID response for continuing education in selected State Schools in Bihar: Postcards for students-Empowerment based Mentoring Model.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was asked for quotations by a journalist for an article published in devex titled, ‘Examining India’s new education policy through a gender lens’ on 2 September 2020.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was an invited speaker at Swaraj Express on a programme about Anganwadis as on 28 August 2020. The entire session can be viewed here.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha highlights the inconsistencies and lack of detailing across the policy in the article titled, ‘Can The NEP 2020 Solve India’s Kaksha Crisis?’ published by Youth Ki Awaaz. The article was published on 18 August 2020.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was one of the panelist in the panel discussion organised by Youth Ki Awaaz on 15 August 2020. The discussion was titled, ‘Can The NEP 2020 Solve India’s Kaksha Crisis?’. The media coverage as well as the entire session can be viewed here. The poster for the session can be viewed here.
  • As part of the #BackToSchool Campaign launched by Youth Ki Awaaz, the CBPS Team has written an article titled, ‘Can Education In India Go Online If Most Girls Are Left Behind?’. It was published in Youth Ki Awaaz on 11 July 2020.
  • Confluence (Science, Scientists and Society), Indian Academy of Sciences has published an article by Dr. Jyotsna Jha titled, ‘New’ Directions in Higher Education in India after COVID-19?’ on 22 June 2020.
  • Deccan Herald published an article by Dr. Jyotsna Jha titled, ‘Needed: A new economic order’ on 4 June 2020.
  • The Wire published an article titled, ‘What a Survey of Children in Bihar Revealed About Online Schooling’ written by Dr. Jyotsna Jha and Ms. Neha Ghatak. It was published on 25 May 2020.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was asked for her views by the Bangalore Mirror for an article titled, ‘Is it time to reduce cost of living in Karnataka?’. It was published on 30 April 2020.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was asked for her views by the Times of India for an article titled, ‘K’taka braces for Rs. 1.2L cr hit in April’. It was published on 29 April 2020.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was asked for her views by the Bangalore Mirror for an article titled, ‘Does Karnataka have an exit strategy? Hospitals have the ‘beds case scenario”. It was published on 28 April 2020.
  • Deccan Herald published an article by Dr. Jyotsna Jha titled, ‘Death was cheap in India till coronavirus arrived’ on 22 April 2020.
  • Dr. Jyotsna Jha was asked for her views by the Times of India for an article titled, ‘Hit hard, Karnataka gets only Rs 396 crore from Centre to fight Covid-19’. It was published on 6 April 2020.