The education system over the world has gone through massive changes since the onset of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic. Even a few years down the timeline, we wouldn’t have been convinced of the efficacy of an online education system.
And in case you are wondering how long the online system of education is going to last, professionals and experts think that it is here to stay!
The first streak of this online education system, since the beginning of the pandemic, probably dates back to April 2020, when the schools and colleges for the first time began with their online schedules of classes. Corporate offices had already manifested the scheme and soon young students had to sit in front of their laptop screens all day long. Institutions are now reduced to the window of their electronic devices.
However, some of the graver concerns about the online education system include health issues of the students and teachers participating, the network scenario in the country, and the elitism which was integrated into education ever since the online classes began. Both schools and colleges had teachers who because of their senior age, couldn’t comprehend the technology very well, and had difficulties while logging in the online classes. Given the situation, this took a toll on their physical and mental health as well. A rigid discipline system, which was synonymous with their conception of classes or lectures had disintegrated in this online system.
Cases of teachers voluntarily resigning, or some even being forced to resign because of the lack of tech-savviness on their end, were all over social media.
On the part of the students, there were constant complaints of deteriorating mental health over periodic online assignments and examinations, all of which had probably fallen into deaf ears. Migraine headaches, eye problems, nervousness, social anxiety, mental breakdowns are some of the many health concerns which were faced by umpteen students globally because of this sudden change in the system of education.
E stands for both Education (now, online) and Elitism
How can one possibly look over the fact that crores of people in India are financially below the poverty line and hence unable to afford secure internet connectivity, a laptop, or an Android device to ensure a smooth education system for their children? Although the central and state governments tried helping with the same, there are still people in this country who cannot possibly afford education if it comes with such huge prices. It is thus needless to mention, that a huge generation of our nation is at stake.
UNICEF has urged governments over Twitter, on Monday, 19th July to consider safe reopening of schools to avoid a “generational catastrophe” since it has been over 18 months now and almost a 156 million children are still out of school. Hence educationists and change-makers all over the world need to realize that education is a lot more than simply imparting knowledge. It inculcates sociological associations, peer collaborations, teamwork, and such other values which are probably impossible over a zoom meeting or google meet session.
