Impact of COVID-19 on the Education of Adivasi Communities in Kerala

Abstract

The Kerala government launched its ambitious virtual learning programme, with the help of Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), targeting 4.5 million students in the state from 1 June 2020. The step was both challenging and progressive, condiering the digital divide in the state. This article examines the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the education of Adivasi communities in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The district has the largest Adivasi population in Kerala, constituting around 18.76% of its total population. While measures have been taken to ensure digital facilities to the marginalised communities to attend the virtual classes, it is argued that these actions would not yield the desired outcome unless the most basic sociocultural, economic and geographical barriers are addressed. This article is based on an ongoing ethnographic study since February 2018 in three Adivasi communities in Noolpuzha Panchayath of Wayanad district in Kerala.