Coronavirus lockdown: Online schooling widens digital divide
-Monica Aggarwal
Schools, universities, and educational institutions across several countries have been shut in the wake of worldwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the Coronavirus epidemic. According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), due to the closure of schools, education of over 154 crore students worldwide has been disrupted. Therefore, in order to keep the learning going, many schools and educational institutions are moving to online digital platforms where teachers can connect with students to continue imparting knowledge.
However, in a recently published report, UNESCO has observed that half of the total number of learners (approximately 826 million students) across the majority of countries do have access to computers at their homes. Also, nearly 43% (706 million) do not have access to the internet to participate in digital-based distance learning. UNESCO further points out that the disparities are severe in low-income countries like sub-Saharan Africa where approx. 89% of students do not own computers at their homes and 82% live without internet access.
Additionally, the UN's educational agency stated that almost 56 million learners live in areas where there is no mobile network connectivity, in the view that mobile phones could also help the learners to connect with teachers to ensure that education continues.
Not just students, 63 million primary and secondary school teachers are also affected by the closure of schools in the 191 countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. UNESCO noted that teachers in many countries find the shift from classroom teaching to digital learning challenging. Even teachers in several remote locations lack access to communication technology (ICT) infrastructure for distance learning.
According to media reports, UNESCO Director-General asserts that if the current educational disruption is prolonged due to lockdowns, there could threats to the right to education. The worst-hit by this disruption would be girls as it can lead to a surge in school drop-out rates. Out of the 154 crore students out of schools due to lockdown, almost 74 crore are girls, many of whom live in the world's least developed countries where they face difficulties to even get admission in schools.
In order to address the digital divide in the process of education, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay suggested that the community radios and television broadcasts can be put to the best use to impart knowledge such that there is access to education across all remote areas. Furthermore, as world governments prepare to extend school closure in order to protect the children from the pandemic, UNESCO has called for the authorities to address the matter of the digital divide at the earliest. The educational agency has also suggested a six-point strategy to ascertain elevate the learning process. It includes leveraging teachers and communities, adopting appropriate distance learning practices, considering the digital divide, safeguarding vital services, and engaging young people.
Schools, universities, and educational institutions across several countries have been shut in the wake of worldwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the Coronavirus epidemic. According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), due to the closure of schools, education of over 154 crore students worldwide has been disrupted. Therefore, in order to keep the learning going, many schools and educational institutions are moving to online digital platforms where teachers can connect with students to continue imparting knowledge.
However, in a recently published report, UNESCO has observed that half of the total number of learners (approximately 826 million students) across the majority of countries do have access to computers at their homes. Also, nearly 43% (706 million) do not have access to the internet to participate in digital-based distance learning. UNESCO further points out that the disparities are severe in low-income countries like sub-Saharan Africa where approx. 89% of students do not own computers at their homes and 82% live without internet access.
Additionally, the UN's educational agency stated that almost 56 million learners live in areas where there is no mobile network connectivity, in the view that mobile phones could also help the learners to connect with teachers to ensure that education continues.
Not just students, 63 million primary and secondary school teachers are also affected by the closure of schools in the 191 countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. UNESCO noted that teachers in many countries find the shift from classroom teaching to digital learning challenging. Even teachers in several remote locations lack access to communication technology (ICT) infrastructure for distance learning.
According to media reports, UNESCO Director-General asserts that if the current educational disruption is prolonged due to lockdowns, there could threats to the right to education. The worst-hit by this disruption would be girls as it can lead to a surge in school drop-out rates. Out of the 154 crore students out of schools due to lockdown, almost 74 crore are girls, many of whom live in the world's least developed countries where they face difficulties to even get admission in schools.
In order to address the digital divide in the process of education, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay suggested that the community radios and television broadcasts can be put to the best use to impart knowledge such that there is access to education across all remote areas. Furthermore, as world governments prepare to extend school closure in order to protect the children from the pandemic, UNESCO has called for the authorities to address the matter of the digital divide at the earliest. The educational agency has also suggested a six-point strategy to ascertain elevate the learning process. It includes leveraging teachers and communities, adopting appropriate distance learning practices, considering the digital divide, safeguarding vital services, and engaging young people.
Comments
Post a Comment