A new page opened in the book of education, under the shadow of COVID-19. Rising cases, lockdown, and uncertainty led education in schools and colleges to take an unprecedented turn. Both the students and the teachers had to shift to online schooling, and with it face its contrasting effects.
Digital education has supported the learning in the past one year and even now does so. Innovation in teaching methodology and digital infrastructure has been the new normal with many positive outcomes. A recent report by Forbes suggested of increased student retention rates between 25%-60%. But when it grants children from well-off backgrounds with a comfortable ‘study-from-home’ routine, it presents a struggle to the students from deprived sections of the society who have now more than ever found themselves part of the great Indian digital divide. The Voices explores.
For the students from economically stressed families, managing online education has been more a burden than a relief. The exposure to online medium of education itself was challenging. To top it all, they are weighed down by the lack of facilities, which make them feel left behind from the process of learning.
Rashmi, a class 7student of a government school in Delhi, says, “It was very confusing. We were suddenly asked to come on video calls and note down homework from WhatsApp.”
The initial days of lockdown had her and others like her not being able to take the classes. “Only my father has a smartphone in my home. I have to seek his permission to take the phone, and sometimes when he is using it, I have to wait,” Rashmi tells The Voices.
As digital devices created virtual spaces that doubled up as classrooms, the process of clearing doubts that was an important aspect of school learning either suffered or became cumbersome. “We were asked to download new software and study through them. In case of any confusion, we only had the option of sending a WhatsApp message to the teachers and waiting for them to revert”, says Akshesh, a class 8 student.
Bhupinder Kaur, an NDMC school teacher says, “It is almost impossible to gauge whether all the students understandthe lessons or not. We cannot look at their faces and judge. The online classes hugely limit the scope of interaction. Class strength is usually above 45, making it difficult to pay individual attention to each child.”
Manju Chawla, another government school teacher, tells The Voices, “Smartphones may have replaced books in 2020, but not every child is capable of self studying. Some children in my class are very shy to even speak up and ask if they do not understand something. Now, how do we make sure that child is keeping up with the rest of the class.”
Internet connectivity and penetration has already been an area of concern for online education. VikasPande, a government school teacher confirms, “Access to Internet connectivity has been an issue. Parents are already under financial constraint. And with the lockdown, they are unable to provide their kids with computers and high speed internet. Not everyone is privileged that way.”
To address and such and many other concerns, the government did come forward to help by distributing smartphones and by introducing programmes like the ‘PM e-Vidya’ and ‘Bharat Padhe Online’. States governments too launched e-learning portals to ensure better access to learning. The latest to join the series is e-LOTS, a portal by Bihar Education Project Council, launched on May 12, 2021.
Such portals are linked with the already existing virtual education infrastructure such as DIKSHA portal, Swayamprabha Channel, National Repository of Online Education etc. Private sector initiatives have also complimented the efforts being taken by several governments. In February 2021, Google added 50 new features to its classroom app. Meanwhile, teachers are also trying innovate teaching methods and practices to give students a 100% chance at learning.
However, experts believe, for the results of such initiatives for the marginalised sections to start showing results, time and proper investment in e-education infrastructure is required. As of now, the students and teachers are fast adapting to the needs of the time even as they take on the challenges of the new learning order to their best.
Story edited by: NK Jha