COVID-19 Impact on Education

As the corona virus pandemic spreads across the globe and in India. Many countries have confirmed school closures by mid-March 2020. However, School closures are an essential step in an attempt to prevent the community spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

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It appears to be a logical solution to enforce social distances within community but prolonged closures tend to have a negative impact on students.Millions of learners world-wide are affected by the closure of educational institutions. This has changed the way millions have been taught worldwide. In a relatively short period, COVID-19 is a catalyst in the search of novel approaches for educational institutions worldwide. In a survey conducted by Times Higher Education in 2018, leaders of well-known global universities believed that online teaching could never match the conventional classroom teaching.Coronavirus pandemic has changed the way of education around the world and gives us an insight into how education will change for the better and the worse in the long term.

Impact and Challenges:

1. Classes, semester exams, and school admissions are lagging. The activities of student counseling are getting affected too. Many countries have opted to cancel or postpone tests. Whereas some are expanding the college or school year because of missed days.
2. Most of Indian students rely on the offline admissions process and majority of the peoples do not have access to high-speed WiFi OR broadband.
3. The shutdown has generated confusion about the exam process, internships and placements. It will be a major challenge for colleges to complete their syllabus on time without compromising the quality of education.
4. Universities can face lower collection of fees that can generate hurdles in the managing of working capital.
5. Many institutions can pause the hiring of faculties for existing vacancies, which affect the quality and excellence.
6. Many students do not have access to the Internet and computers and they would have to miss their training before appropriate solutions could be found.
7. Many people are dealing with technical problems, and even grappling with home study challenges.
8. Students with special needs and young children are difficult to focus on. They may find it difficult to switch to online platforms and also to concentrate in an online class. These difficulties may require additional support from parents and a unique approach to online learning.
9. Sectors of higher education are also disrupted. Many Indian students have taken admissions abroad and because of corona virus pandemic, students will withdraw their admission. The market for foreign higher education will also decrease in the long term.
10. Employment is another big problem. Students who have graduated will fear that because of the current situation, they may cancel their employment offers in the corporate sector. There are possibilities that the placements in 2020 decrease as the global economy falls drastically.

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Opportunities:

1. Despite the challenges set out above, the change in education also means that more opportunities are developing and are becoming available to students.
2. Educational policy makers should take advantage the virus outbreak as an opportunity to implement new learning techniques that will benefit everybody, plan for emergencies and make the program more resilient. Regional lockdowns could be used as a best test for remote learning education technology operations. Many countries are using distance learning to reduce the lack of school time.
3. Open and free of cost access of digital textbooks and learning materials have been given by various publishers.
4. National TV networks are broadcasting educational lectures and study materials. Various Government and non-government organizations are providing free online courses.
5. Artificial intelligence, too, will help make learning more productive and personal. Most students are also gradually using podcasts and using Youtube. Whats App and Instagram social networking sites are now commonly used for more casual and immersive learning.
6. Faculties are learning through online platforms. They are translating materials and lessons into a new framework. They are also adapting the latest online tools for remote teaching and connectivity. They are looking to create a successful schedule outside the school environment.
7. Teachers, often among the most educated in these hard-to-reach areas, can be trained as contact trackers and campaign advocates.
8. Schools can serve as crisis response centers. They can be transformed into makeshift holding centers during a crisis, especially during the recovery and coping phases.

Author — MS. PREETI MANN (Associate Professor)