The crisis that Coronavirus created has led to major
changes in the education system in many countries. The most significant move is
the change of the traditional way of teaching in which students are taught in
classrooms meeting teachers face-to-face. Although a lot has been discussed on
the impact COVID-19 has had on the economy, employment, and the environment,
how the pandemic is currently affecting different stakeholders of the education
system and how they are responding to it, needs serious concern today.
While
online classes are an effective substitute for the Covid situation, there is one
major concern as to how effective the online education is going forward.
Although the digital teaching system is considered a temporary one that will
fade with the lifting of the lockdown, it is likely to become permanent in the
future.
Accordingly,
there is an expected change in the curriculum and time of learning in schools
all over India. Union Human Resources Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has lately said
that he plans to reduce the syllabus and the schedule of classes in schools for
the next academic year after consultations with the education secretaries. He
has also sought comments and observations from teachers and experts in this
regard. However, the central government is now considering opening schools
in August or so and it is hoped that by that time the outbreak of covid-19
disease will be brought under control.
In the
midst, a large number of wealthy parents are looking for ways to organize
online learning for their children. As a part of this, they are trying to
secure those laptops and mobiles that are the best to suit their children’s
needs. On the other side, we recently read the sad news from Kerala that a girl
committed suicide due to a lack of access to online learning. Our digital
education system road ahead should not ignore the fact that many such poor
students still exist in our country and do not have access to digital educational
programmes for want of internet access. At the same time, the urgent need is
also to consolidate the procurement of technical amenities for all to be
intensified.
At least,
every student must have access to high-speed internet even those who are living
in isolated areas. For students who are not sufficiently equipped with basic
technological tools and skills, watching pre-recorded or live online classes will
be baffling as well as frustrating for them.
The
curriculum and learning platform must be designed in such a way that it
does not adversely affect the quality of education from primary level to higher
secondary level. Governments and educational thinkers must look at this need
positively and scientifically.
This Article published in Metro Vaartha on June 6, 2020
This Article published in Metro Vaartha on June 6, 2020
