The COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a health crisis. Many countries have (rightly) decided to close schools, colleges and universities.
The major problems faced by the entire education industry are as mentioned below:
- Due to Coronaviruspandemic the state governments across the country temporarily started shutting down schools and colleges.
- The closedown of educational institutes it is estimated to affect around 600 million learners across the world.
- Assessment has also been pending due to lockdown period countrywide.
- Mass Promotion has been given across many schools in various states.
- Exams have been put on hold into various state universities and CBSE Board.
- As per the present situation, there is an uncertainty when schools and colleges will reopen.
- All major entrance examinations are postponed including engineering, medical, law, agriculture, fashion and designing courses, etc. This situation can be a ringing alarming bell mainly in private sector universities.
- May be universities may face impact in terms of a slowdown in student internships and placements, lower fee collection that can create hurdles in managing the working capital.
- Various students from India took admissions in abroad like the US, UK, Australia, China etc. And these countries are badly affected due to COVID-19.
- The careers of this year’s university graduates may be severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Possible Measures to be taken to overcome the hurdles during COVID-19
- Use of E-Learning platform has been adopted by many schools, colleges and universities. Technology plays a major role in the adoption of this method of teaching.
- EDtech reform at the national level that is an integration of technology in the present Indian education system.
- Many schools, colleges and universities are moving towards online process of getting admissions due to restriction of movement from one place to another and avoiding risk of face to face interaction.
- Training must be given to teachers and students about usage of various online platforms to keep them connected during this isolation period.
- Students those are coming from low-income groups or presence of disability, etc. distance learning programs can be included.
We can’t ignore that at this time of crisis effective educational practice is needed for the capacity-building of young minds. Central Government and State need to take some measures to ensure the overall progress in the country. Time never wait, this tough time will also pass.
Mr. Nikunj Thakkar,
Assistant Professor, MBA Department -RBIMS