View of A Study On Impact And Strategies Of Covid 19 In The Current Education Scenerio Of Assam

Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education Vol.12 No.12 (2021), 781-783

Research Article

781

A Study On Impact And Strategies Of Covid 19 In The Current Education Scenerio Of

Assam

Dharitri Boruah

1

_{,Palakhi Kalita}

2

1_{Research Scholar, Department of Education, Dibrugarh University,Assam, India.} 2_{Research Scholar, Department of Education, Dibrugarh University,Assam, India.}

Article History: Received: 11 January 2021; Revised: 12 February 2021; Accepted: 27 March 2021; Published online: 23 May 2021

Abstract: There have various impacts like the closure of schools has disrupted the face to face teaching learning process.

Various problems like proper time management, increased child labor, increased dropouts, lack of readiness and infrastructure for teachers, postponed or rescheduled the examinations. The statement of the problem has been entitled as “A study on impact and strategies of Covid 19 in the current education scenario of Assam”. Descriptive method has been applied in the present study. Secondary sources of data were applied by the investigator. To add more problems to the situation are those families who have many children and whose parents are struggling to feed their children first and everything comes later in this lockdown situation.

Keywords: Impact, Strategies, Education

1. Introduction

Education is the most powerful weapon which can change the Nation and can change the whole world. It is a virtue which makes the people farsighted and it in turn develops the nation. But the means for this virtue is on the cross read across the globe due to the Corona pandemic. The petrifying and severe impact of covid-19 has shaker the world to its core. Who would have thought the magnitude of the covid-19 pandemic will have such an impact that creates mess to the entire human activities and among these, education is one area which is badly affected. The Indian government as a part of the nationwide lockdown has closed all educational institutions. It is done mainly to prevent the institutions and especially the students from becoming a prey to the virus.

For the rapid growth of cases of Covid 19, all educational institutions within the state of Assam were remained closed. It greatly affectsthe students and teachers for their academic activities. There havevarious impacts like the closure of schools has disrupted the face to face teaching learning process. Various problems like proper time management, increased child labor, increased dropouts, lack of readiness and infrastructure for teachers, postponed or rescheduled the examinations. Students counseling operations are also affected, also affected on teaching an assessment methodologies etc. Many teachers lost their jobs and also they could coup- up with their mental illness. For these kinds of problems we need to change and precede advanced methodologies and strategies to maintain with current situation and growing up our educational status. For tackle this situation we needs to adopt and find solutions to keep children motivated and in their route to learning.

1.2 Need and significance of the study: The study helps us to know about the status of education during Covid 19, it also helps us to know about the impact and strategies of Covid 19 in the education system of Assam.

1.3 Statement of the problem

The statement of the problem has been entitled as “A study on impact and strategies of Covid 19 in the current education scenario of Assam”

1.4 Objective of the study:

The objective of the study is to know about the impact and strategies of Covid 19 in the education system of Assam.

1.5 Delimitation of the study:

The study is delimited to impact and strategies of Covid 19 in education system of Assam. Review of related literature

Saini, S (2020) conducted a study on How will Covid 19 impact higher education in India shows that the conventional Indian education system follows face to face or physical teaching, even through the trend of audio

Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education Vol.12 No.12 (2021), 781-783

Research Article

782

visual aids in classrooms was introduced a decade ago. Many higher education institutes in India are not equipped with such facilities.

Parashar, Utpal (2020) shows that All the universities are also directed to start academic activities as per their own suitability and as per the guidelines received from UGC, Schools should be allowed to teach students in classrooms while maintaining social distance.

2. Methods and procedure of the study

Descriptive method has been applied in the present study. Secondary sources of data were applied by the investigator.

3. Result and discussion of the study

In the wake of the rising cases and the declaration of the nationwide lockdown, steps have been taken in Assam too to cope up with the changing atmosphere at all levels of academics. Some schools have come up with activities such as online classes and distribution of homework through their respective whatsapp groups, projects, mails, chat rooms, Google meets etc. while at the degree level, some colleges and universities instructed their students to complete their assignments and submit to the teacher concerned through emails and whats App.

In view of the lockdown and its effect on education, Assam government is contemplating extending the school session till March like in other parts of the country and starting the next session from April. The state government has also decided to help the students from the state wishing to come back. Moreover, private schools across Assam have been asked to waive off monthly fees for students till the Covid-19 pandemic situation improves.

But overall closure is a matter of concern since it is both a great loss to the students in particular and to the institutions in general. Regarding the e-learning solution, it seems the balance is tilted more to one side, while institutions in urban areas have adopted e-learning procedures, the schools and colleges in rural areas having students from rural areas and belonging to lower income groups (without smart phones and other electronic gadgets) everything has come to a standstill.

Again due to the lack of internet connectivity, many students from rural areas do not have access to internet which means online teaching are beneficial to the urbanites only. There are also parents who do not possess the knowledge to operate their phones and hence become a problem for them to see that their children have to cater to online teachings. To add more problems to the situation are those families who have many children and whose parents are struggling to feed their children first and everything comes later in this lockdown situation. In addition degree students face problems of writing their assignments since most of the books are in the libraries at their colleges and universities. If we look at the problems mentioned above, we find the unequal distribution of a learning system where same who have the privileges to cater to the requirements of their institutions find it easy whereas for the rest, online learning is a myth; impossible to became a reality.

The problem is not the fault of either the parents or the students, but it was the educational system in our state that lacks the focus it deserves. Throughout the years, the government delayed or perhaps took no interest in the improvement and set up a common learning process digitally or online. The absence of computer knowledge and the negligence of computer facilities in the schools, colleges and universities, as well as in localities both in urban and rural set up have now become a hindrance if this shutdown continues for a longer period. But the government and the educational institutions can use these present adversities as a blessing in disguise and make digital education a major part of the learning process for all learners in the future.

There is a need to learning through technology in the present context. Technology can enable different tea ching methodologies and also allow teaching a large number of people across the country. In a state like Assam we don’t have enough teachers or easy access to good technologies, so we have to adopt a focused systematic programme of using the power of technology to enable learning. Various online modes of learning like MOOCS, SWAYAM, SWAYAM PRABHA, DIKSHA platform, social media, Zoom classes, online seminers, workshops, TV programmes, Radio etc should be adopted. Mobile based learning models, Information technology, programmeinstruction and learning is necessary for effective delivery of education.

Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education Vol.12 No.12 (2021), 781-783

Research Article

783

Certain strategies have been taken by the government of Assam so that students will not lose on academic session and also to meet the challenges in the education sector due to long time closure.

• The Assam government is considering changes in the school calendars i.e from April to March. This decision is useful, will benefit the students and have long term positive effects.

• Another important strategy taken by the Assam government to provide learning opportunities is the education through television channel and radio. The Government launched a new television channel ‘Gyan Vriksha’, under Assam government’s Samagra Shiksha Mission. The channel will replicate traditional classes. In the channel, the study material for different classes will be provided according to the academic calendar. Nodoubt, it is profitable, but not for all.

• In the duration of Covid-19, online teaching has been encouraged by the Assam government so that teachers can conduct online teaching. The DIKSHA platform can further strength to ensure accessibility of learning to the students.

The strategies have two impacts in our society. These are: Economic Impact-

The e- learning strategy has been started but not only for higher studies, but it is proved to be beneficial also for the school students. But it is not possible for educational institution of remote areas to use e-learning methods in on effective manner. Besides, the poor students who lack smart phone and computer are not able to be availed of these online classes. Several low-income school and colleges, including both government and private are not able to facilitate this e-learning. Only a few numbers of private educational institutions can offer online learning facilities. This fact might turn the society into on egalitarian one in where a big economic difference will arise.

Social Impact-

The use of electronic media in education, the e- learning may create a mental distress and upper- lower feelings among the students. There will be vast educational and social gape among the students. The social inequalities will be encouraged in the economically backward Assam.

However, we can’t deny the fact that the Covid-19 has introduced the online classes. Online learning has many benefits- it is not restricted to a particular environment, students can have access to it from anywhere they went etc. But truth is that face to face learning is always very much effective and interactive than online classes.

4. Conclusion

During this crisis situation, there need to be adopt equal common platform so that no student suffers. We always have to be prepared for the future education. Both offline and online classes should be a regular practice in future. It is necessary that the government must think for internet accessibility in all areas with special emphasis on rural areas. Economic upliftment of poor people is also important. At last, we should take all necessary steps to prevent the pandemic Covid 19 to become spread and also to be aware of transferring our education system to face the unknown future.

References

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