The coronavirus pandemic has led to the shutting down of educational institutes around the globe. As a result, there has been an exponential growth of E-learning amongst students and teachers.
India facilitates one of the biggest education industries in the world which has been forced to shut down but the real question is for how long can we afford to block the path of education?
The duration of social distancing norms is unknown and the education system in India needs to adapt. E-learning is a major advantage for growing technologically advanced Indian students. Edtech companies are now helping a major part of Indian education to shift towards online courses.
Edtech industry was already prospering, but the pandemic has presented opportunities for growth like never before. The need is to ensure digital platforms are grasped and implemented properly in the formal education sector.
Government's support in the growth of E-learning during pandemic:
Although the higher education department has seen a lesser impact, low income private and government schools are absolutely devoid of schooling amongst the students because of the unavailability of e-learning solutions. Currently, the schools are in discussion of re-opening by the government authorities but HRD ministry has released a statement, that only 30% of students can be fitted in the classes.
Amidst this, government policies such as:
E-Basta,
MOOC,
SWAYAM PRABHA etc.
are paving a way for online education to masses and given the predicament that by 2024, 84% of households in India can access them, which is a great movement.
The government in Kerela even stepped up by onboarding an Australian made digital learning platform in their state. This is an amazing step forward in digitizing education.
Parents and children coping up in the pandemic!
Student anxiety levels are rising, the lack of proper study and looming exams have further made it a mandatory requirement to enforce proper online resources to help them cope up.
Parents on the other hand are more involved in studies of their children, leaving them burdened more among already existing economic problems.
How can E-learning grow more?
Formal education has suffered, but the problems have also presented an opportunity to point flaws in the present studies and innovate the structure of learning. The current strategy should be to reduce the negative impact this pandemic leaves on the student community.
• Private and Government institutions can implement e-learning to reduce the stress of students and parents and emerging ed-tech has provided them ample opportunities for the same.
• Teachers and students should be provided with basic training to help them operate e-learning platforms.
• Promotional strategies could be adopted to familiarize the concept of online education.
• Access of smartphones and the internet at lower costs could largely help the weaker sections of the society in a post-pandemic education system.