Distance Learning in Ukraine: An Analysis of Threats and Challenges

Abstract

The article is aimed at studying and analyzing the factors influencing the functioning of the education sphere, as well as evaluating the threats, challenges and opportunities for the introduction of distance learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article analyzes the main problems of the education system of Ukraine during the transition to distance learning during the pandemic: lack of a sufficient number of teachers who would have experience in distance learning; problems with digitalization of educational institutions and applicants; lack of access to training facilities and Internet coverage in small towns/rural settlements; extensiveness of remote lessons in time; lack of national guidelines for the organization of distance learning; increasing the level of social tension among both teachers and students; nutritional problems for vulnerable population groups; decrease in academic mobility and others. A SWOT analysis of distance learning in Ukraine in modern conditions was carried out. The presence of weaknesses of distance learning is noted and directions of using the opportunities and advantages of distance education are outlined, i.e.: increasing the level of education of the population as a whole; obtaining education in leading educational institutions; a likely reduction in student migration, which will facilitate an increase in the standard of living of the country’s population. It is noted that distance learning has certain threats – high competition with well-known higher education institutions that have long and successfully offered educational services online; lack of copyright protection mechanisms for developers of distance courses at the State level, etc. Some directions of the State support for distance education in Ukraine are proposed, which, first of all, should include measures to provide educational institutions with computer equipment and modern software, the development of high-quality educational material for use in distance learning, and so on.