Education And Technology In The Time Of Pandemic: Is It Fair For All?

Academics and the entire education system in this COVID-19 Pandemic would have taken a back seat, if not for the technology available in the 21st century. Schools and Universities have locked down their classrooms sighting safety reasons and to maintain Government norms of social distancing. There are about 80% of the youth enrolled in schools and universities from 161 nations are out of it leading to a global learning crisis. In such a scenario, easy internet availability and online e-learning platform have been a boon for getting access to knowledge while at home.

Access to Technology

Wait not for all as there is a huge percentage of the population in developing countries who are below the poverty line, facing problems in affording an android mobile. For them to get an education in such a remote manner is a matter of ages to get fulfilled. There are many cases wherein primary schools in Asian nations, the mid-day meal is given for promoting education within families. For that many children visit schools as they will be getting a one-time meal in low or free of cost. Such facilities are also withdrawn. However, for those who can afford such a medium of learning technology has been a boon. ICT has been a boon and higher education has adapted it as a conventional medium of study. In the time of the pandemic, access to education through the e-learning platform has been a medium of forwarding and innovative thinking. It uses electronic technologies such as a mobile device with 4G networks and internet facilities to impart education. There have been provisions of Zoom Classroom that is helping teachers collaborate and teach in virtual classrooms.

Technology in Education

It is also interesting to see the way teaching style and way of imparting it has changed in this period. Teachers have benefitted as they are been able to save their jobs and continue with teaching through online mediums. The emergence of Moodle has helped question banks and answers to get stored in for further referrals. Shaking of hands in between technology and education has been a solution selective to a certain section of society. This proves that education during such lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic through an online platform is not a generic solution. It has the potential to increase the gap in literacy and make students or children from rural areas demotivated to grab it. There are also regions where network facilities are not there and this section of children will be deprived of education. There is a way out through which the solution can be made generic. However, this needs a great level of implementation and support of the governments of the respective regions as well.

A parting thought…

Teachers with special permission need to be deployed in regions with the complete medical examination of the disease. They will enter into the rural areas which are contaminated with the virus and through norms of social distancing will impart education. There can be alternative classes with a small batch of students in case the infrastructure and set up in rural areas do not match the social distancing and other regulations.