In order to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease, the government of India has imposed nationwide lockdown since the end of March 2020. No doubt, it is a good decision as a person’s life comes first over any other thing. All schools, colleges and universities were decided to be shutdown since then and there is no clarity on when are they going to reopen.
Many people came up with the idea of imparting classroom lectures in the form of online video lectures and communicating to students to study through emails and various digital platforms. However, in the vast country like India, with a population of over 130 crores, both students and teaching faculties are struggling with a uncertain future.
One of the major challenge of online learning or e-learning is there is a digital divide in the country. Access to electricity, computers, smartphones and internet connections are very limited in this country, which aims to become digitally fit India.
A survey conducted showed that only 8% of all houses in the country with members of age group 5-24 have both a computer and internet connection. So, this nationwide survey puts a shocking question in the minds of people about the fate of the remaining 92% who belong to poor, rural etc. categories.
How is online education possible in such a digital divide that is apparently visible across all the states of the country? Will the government be able to make online education mandatory in schools across India or are school and college going children going to lose out their years of education due to lack of supportive measures and digital infrastructure in the country?
Time will only tell. The challenges are not just limited to the digital infrastructure but also the teaching and learning process that requires an undisturbed environment. If parents are going to continue working from home, there are going to be huge distractions for children living in 1RK and chawls to even concentrate on their studies even if they get a smartphone in their homes.
Coronavirus has not only killed people all across the globe but also created such a divide in the entire system and functioning of the country that it is going to take really a lot of time to build a new happy, safe and literate world.
