Author – Sarita Mall
Introduction
1. Most governments around the world have temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. A large no of students and youth across the planet are affected by school and university closures. Several other countries have implemented localized closures impacting millions of additional learners.
3. Governments around the world are making efforts to mitigate the immediate impact of school closures, particularly for more vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, and to facilitate the continuity of education for all through remote learning.
Challenges
1. Interrupted learning. Schooling provides essential learning and when schools close, children and youth are deprived of opportunities for growth and development
2. Confusion and stress for teachers. When schools close, especially unexpectedly and for unknown durations, teachers are often unsure of their obligations and how to maintain connections with students to support learning.
3. Mid Day Meal. Many children and youth rely on free meals provided at schools for food and healthy nutrition. When schools close, nutrition is compromised.
4. Orthodox Educational Institutes. Educational institutes that fail to use online systems as delivery mechanisms will lag. So, adopting “anywhere-anytime” education will help every individual to get quality education and enable them to contribute to the economic prosperity and social welfare of the country
5. Social Distancing. Maintaining the social distancing and safety will be a challenging issue.
6. Jobs and Internship opportunities.
7. Semester completion.
Way Ahead
1. Smart phones. Smart phones are the best choice for those who cannot afford a laptop. The post COVID period will be a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to invest in R&D for low-cost laptops and smartphones while keeping pace with technological advances
2. Co-Existence. We should be bold in pursuing a new normal, where a hybrid of online lectures followed by classroom sessions becomes the standard.
3. Spending on technical infrastructure. Universities will suddenly need to invest huge amounts to establish a tech-enabled teaching-learning network.
4 Psychological Support. A proper psychological support system needs to be established through courses/curriculum and training. Focus should be on maintaining mental well-being in these difficult times.
5. Spending on technical infrastructure. Universities will suddenly need to invest huge amounts to establish a tech-enabled teaching-learning network
6. Infrastructure. Build a robust infrastructure for tech-enabled teaching-learning, ensuring both students and teachers are fully equipped for the digital transformation in higher education
7. Internet for all. Create a three-way communication channel between students, teachers and the government, which operates offline and online and bridges the teaching-learning gaps in areas without an Internet/4G access.
8. Relaxation for Higher Institutes. Relax criteria/policies for universities to offer online and hybrid degrees. This will enable universities to cater to a much wider audience in normal cities and backward areas making degree certifications much more economical and logistically easier.
9. Artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence may be employed in future courses to ensure better R&D in the field of fighting the epidemics like COVID-19.
10. Job Oriented Course. Build, maintain, and fund entrepreneurial ecosystems in universities, leading to job creation in the short run and boosting the economy in future.
11. R&D Funding. Increase upper cap over financial support for biotech research projects, to ensure there is no constraint for students/faculty doing COVID-19 related research.
12. Disaster Management Courses. Set up Disaster Management Research Centres. All universities must have a mandatory course on Disaster Management to ensure that everyone is prepared for a sudden crisis like this one and can ensure least damage.
Conclusion
1. Safety. Safety of the students, teachers and the supporting staff is of paramount importance while carrying out the activities in the institutions.
2. Courses.The process must comply with the govt norms and progressively achieve the goal of imparting knowledge and continuity in the courses.
