THE Bombay University and College Teachers Union (BUCTU) conducted a survey amongst students affiliated to Mumbai University on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted among college students in districts within the jurisdiction of the University of Mumbai.

A structured questionnaire (in Marathi and English) via google form was sent out to students of all classes through their teachers. This survey received a response from 22,864 students.

GENERAL PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS
The proportion of females was 65.2 per cent and that of males was 34.8 per cent. Sixty-eight per cent belonged to open category, 17.8 per cent were OBC, SC and ST were 8.5 per cent and 3.4 per cent respectively. Faculty-wise proportions were 35.5 per cent from arts, 35.3 per cent from commerce, 21 per cent from science, 7.5 per cent from technology and a minuscule 0.7 per cent from interdisciplinary.

There were 48.2 per cent of respondents from urban areas (Mumbai 42.5 per cent, Navi Mumbai 5.7 per cent), 28.2 per cent were from Thane district, where there is a mix of both urban and rural, and 23.7 per cent were from districts with a mostly rural background, viz., Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.

ECONOMIC STATUS OF RESPONDENTS
The impact of long months of lockdown on the economy in general and employment, in particular, has been devastating, almost all over the world. Official data revealed that Indian economy declined by almost 24 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year. As per CMIE reports, the joblessness in India increased gradually and became 23 per cent by the end of April 2020.

It is revealed that 80 per cent of the respondents’ families have a single earning member. Further, 93 per cent have reported a single profession as the main family profession. Our respondents come from a cross-section of society. Hence the occupational profiles of their families have district-level characteristics. 

While the overall proportion of those in government service is about 14 per cent, private service and self-employment dominate the metropolitan regions - Mumbai (77 per cent), Navi Mumbai (66 per cent) and Thane (72 per cent). There is a predominance of the primary sector (farming/ fishing) in Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg (46 per cent). Palghar has the highest proportion (15.8 per cent) of those employed in industry, though the overall proportion is about 8 per cent. Working students are 19 per cent among females and 32 per cent among males.

IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN ON FAMILY INCOMES
The survey examined the effect of the lockdown on family incomes of respondents. The variation of this impact across districts and occupational profiles was also analysed. Overall, 80.7 per cent respondents have reported that their families have suffered the loss of income. This proportion in Palghar and Sindhudurg is about 82 per cent, in Ratnagiri and Raigad the same proportions are respectively 78.8 per cent and 76.5 per cent.

The proportion of those who have reported a loss of income is highest among self-employed (90.2 per cent) followed by those employed in private service/ industry (83 per cent). It was observed to be lowest among those in government service (58 per cent).

Statistically, the association of impact on family's income with, both, districts and family's main profession was observed to be highly significant.

IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN ON EDUCATION
Parents’ income is the major source of funding for the education of 88.7 per cent respondents, student’s own income in case of 4.7 per cent respondents and rest through freeships. Only 28 per cent of respondents said they would be able to pay the fees for 2020-21. 45 per cent would be able to pay by instalments and the remaining 28 per cent would not be in a position to pay the fees at all. In the previous year, 2019-20, majority of the respondents (71 per cent) had paid fees in a lump sum. The economically weaker section (29 per cent) had paid in instalments. In this vulnerable section, presently 37 per cent cannot pay fees and 59 per cent can pay in instalments, indicating worsened situation of fees payment.  Eighteen per cent respondents informed that during Lockdown, they have gone to their native place. They may not be able to come back unless the situation becomes conducive. This section has highlighted the imminent likelihood of a large section of students dropping out of higher education due to loss of family incomes.

RESOURCES FOR ONLINE EDUCATION
Devices: It is observed that 72.1 per cent possessed only one of the three devices – smartphone (68.8 per cent), laptop (3.1 per cent) and tablet (0.2 per cent). Only 1.4 per cent of the students did not possess any smart communication device except cable/dish tv. The rest of 26.5 per cent possessed multiple devices. In all 95 per cent, respondents possessed smartphones with or without other devices. This finding is not inconsistent with the restriction imposed by our survey tool viz., google form in reaching out to those students who have no access to these devices.

Internet: It is observed that 77 per cent students access the internet through mobile data and 30.2 per cent have wi-fi at home. These proportions are inclusive of 14 per cent who have access to both. Less than six per cent have claimed no access to the internet. Only one per cent access internet in cybercafé or through a facility provided in college.

Online Learning: Though 94.3 per cent of respondents have reported access to the internet, not many are in a position to find the shift to online classes easy. It is observed that 40 per cent have difficulty in switching over to online mode due to net connectivity problem, irregular electricity, and financial reasons. This proportion is highest (45.4 per cent) where the family has suffered higher-income loss and lowest (31.5 per cent) where the family has not suffered income loss.  

The observations from this section highlight the fact that a large section of students does not have the necessary devices to continue online learning. The impact of lockdown on family incomes has perceptibly influenced their ability to participate in online education.

SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The survey covers mainly the open category and urban students. To overcome this limitation of the present survey, a comprehensive survey—perhaps offline-- may be undertaken in tribal areas in near future.

A composite demand list should be prepared for the backward and deprived classes mainly in the rural areas to provide basic facilities required for education. This would include expansion of rural electrification, infrastructure for schools and colleges including computer labs with strong wifi connection. Data packs and 4G mobile phones, etc., to be provided to the poor students at a cheaper price.

For the above provisions, budgetary allocation for education should be increased substantially and non-salary grant should be reintroduced.

All teaching and non-teaching posts should be filled up on regular basis with payment of present scales of salary. Vocational training should be encouraged in the rural and tribal areas. This will give opportunity for future employment.