LEC052028 LEONA MARIA RENNY . Essay: Online mode of education during COVID-19

 

  Growing Social Inequality in India owing to Virtual Mode of Learning

 

            The advent of Covid-19 pandemic was abrupt that the ocean of changes it lashed out still remains unaddressed. A major shift happened during the pandemic in the field of education. The mode of learning shifted from physical classrooms to virtual medium. Although having several advantages, the challenges it poses cannot be ignored. In India, apart from the increasing anxiety and stress level in the students, unforeseen transition to the online mode has widened the social and economic gap prevalent in the society. The accessibility of online resources, affordability of online education and the flexibility of study methods are a challenge to the economically backward families and communities.

            In India, social inequality has always been prevailing. Several factors including lack of government policies and exploitation stands as a reason for the same. This class difference has widened due to the sudden shift to virtual learning. The transition was least expected and consequently, most schools and universities well ill-equipped for the sudden shift. Lack of training for teachers to poor internet facilities for students remains an unresolved issue even today. The ones affected the most are the poor sections of society who are deprived of internet connectivity and poorly developed technology. A major problem faced is the availability of internet facilities in remote areas. 

            The vast geography of the country as well as the lack of advancement in technology pose a serious threat. As a developing nation, India lacks resources to accommodate the needs of every citizen. Most rural areas in the country does not have internet facilities. Broad-band connections, internet cafes and trained educators are absent in such areas. Neither the schools nor the families have proper awareness in these areas. When the children of economically well families are imparted knowledge without hindrance, the students of these illiterate communities lack resources for the same. Another threat is the financial issues.

            The affordability of electronic gadgets is high. With the unemployment and increased poverty during the pandemic, families are struggling to make ends meet. The new mode of education casts an additional burden. Another issue is the internet accessibility. Even when necessary gadgets are available, it requires considerable financial stability to maintain a steady internet connectivity. The problem is acute in the case of final year students who have to access study materials online. Most times, there will only be a single gadget available for the use of all family members. Such issues have been overlooked by the educational institutes and teachers when transferring to online teaching. Likewise is the family background of these students. 

            Virtual learning does not always guarantee the required study atmosphere for students. The family atmosphere might not always be favorable for learning. The parents might also not be literate to assist their children in studies. The situation is pathetic for students of lower classes as they require the aid of parents for studying. Another problem faced is the availability of parents in the house. They might go for work during the day time. Considering these issues, government is deciding on new policies to help weaker sections in education.

            Both central and state governments are working together to make education accessible to all without difference. Central government has recently launched the PM e-VIDYA platform, with 12 new DTH channels, one for each class to reach out to all strata of society. The state educational channels like Victers in Kerala ensures learning. These efforts have proved beneficial to a sizable chunk of the school-going population. Nevertheless, there remains several issues that requires immediate action so that the economic gap in society does not affect the education deserved by the citizens of the country.

            The constitution of India ensures equality in educational opportunities to all citizens of India. The governments had been striving for the same. The unexpected lockdown and the shift in the mode of education was sudden that most government schools were unable to adjust to the new method. This puts the weaker sections of society at risks as they solely have to depend on government aid for education. This proves the hiking social inequality in the country made prevalent by the transition of learning to virtual medium.  

 

 

References:

Allen, John R., and Darrell M. West. “How to Address Inequality Exposed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Brookings, Brookings, 4 Nov. 2020, www.brookings.edu/president/how-to-address-inequality-exposed-by-the-covid-19-pandemic/.

“Online Learning Cannot Just Be for Those Who Can Afford Its Technology.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 23 Sept. 2020, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02709-3.

Online, FE. “Online Learning and Education for All during and after Covid-19 Pandemic.” The Financial Express, 13 July 2020, www.financialexpress.com/education-2/online-learning-and-education-for-all-during-and-after-covid-19-pandemic/2021940/.

www.ETGovernment.com. “How Lockdown Reveals Actual State of e-Education in India - ET Government.” ETGovernment.com, 20 May 2020, government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/education/how-lockdown-reveals-actual-state-of-e-education-in-india/75803841.