In a post globalized world, messages and viruses spread faster. With the advent of Covid-19 virus in late 2019 halted the world completely with the millions of people dead. However, while the world combated the disastrous disease - technology helped people remain connected. Most of the world's developed and developing countries' educational systems moved to the online mode of teaching where the students took their classes through Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft teams.
Where these efficient online tools kept the developed world connected, they also provide a hope to fight the educational inequality.
Is it realistically possible?
While the students despise the online teaching system, it is a ray of hope for over 250 million children that are deprived of schooling due to financial constraints, wars, conflicts, racial discrimination, or lack of facilities.
Reasons why there is a HOPE!
Ever improving speed and accessibility of Internet:
The modern technology allows the data uploading and downloading in the matter of seconds and the accessibility of Internet is ever increasing. With the concept of Starlink's global internet coverage, the under-developed or conflict stricken regions can also access the technology. If that happens, a lot of children can access up-to-date educational curriculums and courses online.
Technologies scale up quickly:
It is more easy to design quality online courses or volunteer teaching than to build school buildings, facilities, hiring the right staff in areas especially that are undergoing wars or conflicts.
The concept of Artificial Intelligence:
Recent advances in artificial intelligence technology allow teachers to distinguish instruction, providing support and appropriate material to students whose knowledge and skill is far below grade level norms. The latest intelligent tutoring systems not only assess a student’s current weaknesses but also diagnose why the student is making the specific errors.
However, where there is a hope - there is a fear. It may look very promising to diminish educational inequality using the technological tools such as virtual instructions, they wont guarantee the quality of education and are difficult to implement.
Moreover, the children suffering from conflicts or wars need proper mentorship and motivation which might be difficult to achieve through virtual instructions. The limitations and access of technology due to conflict or financial constraints can be another bottleneck.
But if the influential organizations from developed countries come forward to invest money, provide technology, or volunteer teaching - the inequality of education can be suppressed.
Some very valid points made, the fact that online learning reduces the cost of classrooms, transport and many more is very prominent. However, having an online device with internet availability is big “If” to the success of this notion. How do you think this issue can be catered to further remove inequality in education?
You make some very valid points in wanting to use online education as a mode for learning for conflict ridden children. However it is important to note that the administration of online education has drastic impacts on young minds, while it served as a solution in a pandemic it was important to understand that online education was created as a solution to there being physical barriers as to why children couldn’t go to school. Given the mental trauma that children are going through with the existing conflict does it serve in their best interest to have to be burdened by being in a mode of education they probably haven’t foreseen given there often poor financial status most aren’t highly exposed…
I think if online education can be implemented, it will be better than having no education at all. However, the question is whether institutions or governments will really ensure that all students have access to all the equipment required in online settings. This is because managing costs is difficult, and many students cannot pay for these necessities on their own. Even Lums also provided some students with computers and internet devices for online studies because they couldn't afford them on their own. Then, how can we expect the children in conflict-affected regions to pay costs on their own? If institutions and the government take responsibility for it, then it may be a good alternative to eliminate the educational disparity.
Secondly, as Usama and Maryam mentioned, children…
Some excellent points Sheheryar.
Your point about children in conflict hit regions requiring mentoring is really good in my opinion. Moreover, I think these children need a safe space to continue their studies. During wars itself, the medium of online learning could be luring, but close to impossible given the mental state of children. And after the conflicts are over, as you rightly pointed out, emphasis should be put on learning in a physical setting where children go back to school, interact with each other and feel a part of community.
Even in covid-19, the quality of education has suffered a lot, even at LUMS. There have been an increased number of reports of depression, poor learning, eyesight problems because…
While I agree that online forms of learning can help fight educational inequality, it may come at a cost. When considering children in conflict-affected areas, we need to consider the psychological trauma these children go through. Schools should adapt to the needs of these children and provide counselling and trauma-informed teaching which might be unmanageable if classes are online as online teaching might create a gap between students and teachers, making it difficult for teachers to attend to every student individually . Furthermore, online learning can be isolating. Going to school and meeting their peers gives students a sense of routine, which is particularly important for children in conflict-affected areas. Having online classes might take this sense of routine away…