Impact of COVID- 19 on Education System
Year 2019- 2020 will be the remarkable period in the upcoming history. The
year 2019-20 had created havoc to the world with the deadly disease caused by
corona virus popularly known as COVID- 19 ('CO' stands for Corona 'VI'
stands for Virus and 'D' stands for Disease and '19' for the year
2019). Corona pandemic had not only affected the death rates but also the 'economy' of the world especially the European and Asian countries. Due to
lockdown announced in the country since mid of March, 2020 for 4 months had
badly affected the financial status of every middle class.
On the other hand, the worst affected sector by this pandemic is education
sector so to maintain social distancing and preventing the spreading of disease.
In this pandemic most affected categories are of migrant labourers, employees at
private sector and youngsters. Social distancing is the only precaution which we
can do and in schools and colleges mass gathering is there which could help in
spreading the disease more rapidly. This pandemic is an uncertain situation and
nobody knows how long it will be continuing.
As we have witnessed that due to the spread of corona virus and faster
increasing disease rate all over the country, state governments have declared
that all schools and colleges/ universities will be closed, opted for online
classes and either reschedule the examination or had postponed it.
Apart from this, several entrance exams and competitive exams have been delayed.
In this way, many youngsters' career had been at stake (especially those who
have completed/ are in their final years). The closure of schools and college
institutes will be resulted in a heavy human capital loss and basic fundamental
right of every student.
Everything from education to employment had become virtual seizing of physical
movements. Closing of schools and colleges had not affected only the studies of
students but also the newly admitted teachers due to inability to pay their
salary.
Benefits Of Online Education System
Corona pandemic had affected almost more than half of the student population all
over the world. This worst pandemic had forced the schools and colleges to shift
from traditional learning system to advance learning system or e- learning.
Students are getting their education by sitting at home.
They do not now have hectic schedule to wake up 2 hours early in morning,
bathing, getting ready and going to schools. They learn in their comfort zone.
It had provided equitable access to education to all those having internet
facilities, changed method of examination pattern have been adopted i.e.
students need not to do cramming process to pass exams. One benefit of
postponement of exams is that students got extra time to revise the materials
and focus on their weak points.
Marks have been assigned on the basis of internal assessments and in college,
students are being provided with research works (for assessment) which are one
of the effective methods of evaluation. Many institutes have also provided
coaching classes on discount. As we already know that internet had made the
global world a small village where people from across the world could connect.
The same is in e- learning where the through the mode of internet, students all
across geographies of India have connected and been able to access healthy
interactive classes. Students have been able to grab qualitative learning
through online education system which might be not possible in majority of
traditional education institutes.
Teachers have also adopted new methods of teaching like through PPTs, videos,
video conferencing which are considered as one of the best and fast learning
medium of teaching. Students are able to analyze more effectively what they are
being taught and definitely learn new computer skills as they have to do lots of
assignments through computer or laptops only. Even those who are preparing for
competitive exams are being provided with an opportunity to avail online crash
course or classes on 50% discount.
Even certificate courses are being provided for different subjects with a
minimal cost and even free webinars (online seminars) are organized on current
or important topics for enhanced knowledge.
Negative Impact Of Covid- 19 On Education System
The worst effect had been caused on the examinations and internships of
students. Most of colleges or universities including IITs and other medical and
law colleges had denied from taking online examination of students. I don't find
any reasonable cause for taking such step by schools and colleges. I personally
condemn this step of not taking exams of senior secondary and higher school
students.
The schools cancelling 12th board exams (for left out subjects) and given result
based on internal assessment only in which the student at top position have
scored 100% which is unimaginable. It is true that mark sheet can't decide our
future but marks decides that how much more hard work is needed or that how much
a person is needed to improve himself. Hearing 100% in boards is very sweet but
it could build difficulties in future in building career.
Moreover, online learning had also been a problem to poor or lower middle class
students who do not have any internet facilities. Most of the online classes
were taken on zoom app which again created security problems to students (till
govt. had banned all Chinese apps). But after that even most of students have
been facing problems in joining online classes due to connectivity problem in
their area.
Next biggest problem faced by higher school students is internship. Mainly
internship is for gaining practical experience regarding whatever you have
studied in your graduation period. But due to pandemic mostly internships are
conducted online which basically provide more research and promotion works only.
This just polishes analytical skill but does not give any type of practical
experience.
Even some colleges have take out a new formula to extract education fees from
the students i.e. they are allowing students to attend online classes if they
have paid proper fees. Here money had stopped the students from gaining their
basic rights which is again a condemnable situation. Postponement of exams had
created a new burden on the students.
Somewhere, students are missing their school life where they used to enjoy a lot
with their friends apart from studying and other extra- curricular activities.
An emotional relationship is created between teacher and pupils who is not there
in the digitalized learning. Laboratory based practical studies in technical
subjects like engineering and medical is as important as that of theory part
which is not possible in this pandemic period which is again a big loss to such
students.
Conclusion
The year 2020 is going to be most remarkable period of 21st century with
millions of death all over the world and degraded economy of countries which are
worst affected. In India, the data states that latest COVID cases had reached to
15 lakhs, out of which 34k deaths have been caused. Education sector is also one
of the most affected sectors. In this pandemic time regular hand washing and
social distancing or isolation is what we can do.
It is unpredictable that how long it will take to reinstate to the normal
situation but till then we have to follow every single precautionary measures.
We all know that online education can never replace traditional educational
system. Moreover, digitalized learning gave birth to a new kind of
discrimination between those who have access to internet and those who did not
have and the main important thing that is interaction between student and
teachers have also been affected.
But, apart from certain challenges and looking at current situation, online
studying is the only option available to students. Still school staffs shall
adopt basic precautions like sanitizing hands (after every 2-3 hours), washing
hands with soap up to 20 seconds, wearing masks at work station, taking immunity
drinks and juices, social distancing etc.
Today, we all Indians are in high alert situation in which we all have to take
care of our as well as others health.
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