Article : Challenges to Online Mode of learning in Pakistan
Written By: Umm-E-Habiba
" The main hope of a nation lies in the proper education of its youth". ERASMUS
Covid-19 had caused a great holocaust and death that has trembled nations to their core. It has gripped everyday activities of the common man to the functioning of the government, with the worst impact on the education system. South-Asian countries like Pakistan, India and Afghanistan face great challenges amidst digital education since the pandamic has shifted the academic activities to online or distance learning. Countries like Pakistan, all educational institutions were ordered to suspend their regular academic activities and develope online courses. Online education is seen as the only solution for the safety and faculty of the students. This has confined students to their homes but alternatively, arise many issues regarding the online system. In some regions of Pakistan, there is no internet available. There is no concept of homeschooling and online learning, even if it becomes normal, the parents are not educated enough to teach or guide their children according to the educational standards. Apart from this, the majority of the students do not have their own smartphone, laptop or computer for online classes because of financial issues. And mostly, the private sectors are offering distance learning while children in public sectors are disproportionality disadvantaged due to lack of facilities. The longer their schools remain closed, the more difficult it will be for these already vulnerable children to catch up on learning. Consequently, the gap between public and private educational institutions are widening further, creating educational inequality.
Pakistan continues to solve many of its problems with temporary solutions. The federal government has launched "Teleschool" , which has become the only sourse of education for millions of Pakistani students. At the provincial level, the government of Punjab launched "Taleem Ghar". It is accessible through cable television, mobile phone application and a website. However, much more needs to be done where there has no such facilities. In its annual report, the Economist Intelligence Unit has placed Pakistan at 76th out of 100 countries in terms of availability, affordability and people's ability to use the web. In order to tackle such problems in the future, Pakistan needs to modernize the means of education and the access to technology, including the internet in far off places of the country. Pakistan already lacks the culture of online fulltime studying, weak accessibility further impedes the amelioration of virtual education. To ensure internet accessibility within the masses, temptations must be given to the telecommunication companies to improve their internet services and to cover maximum areas of the country. Apart from this, homeschooling should be systematized and normalized. Research studies show that students who are homeschooled have better practical knowledge and comprehension of the subject. It keeps students away from the rote learning methods that happen in Pakistan's educational system on a wide scale. Therefore, parents who are good enough to take this responsibility should start homeschooling their children instead of wasting time for them. If such mechanisms are formulated, they can be utilized in case of conflict or any other emergency and thus will prevent any huge loss. Pakistan already has a high number of children who are out of schools and and with frequent schools closure, poverty and lack of infrastructure, Pakistan's education system stands at a critical point. So, it needs to modernize its education policy and take measures to make the education system more sustainable, flexible, impartial and inclusive. It is a time that we learn from the emerging challenges to prepare for a better future.
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