Online Education in India, an Insight Into the Future: From the Students’ Experience During the Lockdown for Covid-19

Abstract

The lockdown to restrict COVID-19 has brought online education into prominence. It has given us an insight into the future of education in India. The system that was a part of some elite institutions has become the general mode of imparting education for the last two years. Due to the erratic nature of the Corona virus and positive aspects of online education there is possibility of this system continuing in the future. Therefore it is important to know how the student community perceives it and what are their ideas on some important aspects of this mode of education. The present study is cross-sectional, based on online survey method of data collection. Information was collected from students of schools, colleges and universities. Our survey indicated that majority of students are not comfortable with the online education system. The online system is producing “digital divide” amongst students coming from different socio economic strata. The system is causing financial burdens to families. The awareness about government programs to promote online courses or study materials is not encouraging. Awareness about utility and convenience of these courses has to be promoted amongst faculty and students. The subjects requiring hands on training in laboratory are adversely affected. Therefore a blended mode or fully offline education system is better for the education of the general populace of India.