COVID19: Clamour grows for e-learning as lockdown takes heavy toll on education

Srinagar, Mar 27:  Students are staring at a bleak future as lockdown is likely to continue beyond 21 days in the country.

Health experts said COVID-19 lockdown might extend beyond two months which can further delay the reopening of the schools and educational institutions.

 Doctors Association Kashmir President Dr. Suhail Naik said there are extremely fewer chances that the virus will vanish in the coming weeks. “I don’t see any end to this clampdown. It is impossible to open schools in the valley for the next two months or even more. It is high time that the government restores 4G mobile data so that students and health professionals are benefitted”, he said.

Basharat Ahmad, father of a 7th-grade student, said 2020 is not going to be different for the students of the valley. “We were expecting 2020 might bring some relief for kids.  However, this time it is a natural disaster and we cannot blame anyone for it,” he said.

Basharat said the government should devise a proper mechanism so that students do not lose touch with their studies. “Will students be given mass promotion every year? The government will have to think about it”, he said.

Educationist, Professor Sidiq Wahid said the internet can help students to cope up in such situations. “But as far as Kashmir is concerned, students cannot have even that option available since high-speed internet is suspended,” he said.

Professor Wahid said many countries like the US and China have already switched to virtual classes to prevent academic loss.  “Even in Delhi and other states, everyone has switched to virtual classes,” he said

Another education expert, Bashir Ahmad Dar said lockdown can have cascading consequences on the education system. “Students cannot step out of their homes for coaching. E-learning is the only option available to save the career of students. Authorities can really learn from other countries. The government should come up with a plan,” he said.