Y Merina Chishi
Nagaland is today facing the greatest threat to its education system. Switching gears from the normal classroom teaching to online education is a big challenge for the entire system. It is something totally unexpected and new for both teachers and students, and the problems of quality and effectiveness that have emerged are grave.
While the Department of School Education deserves a pat on the back for starting classes through the televised medium, this is only a means to keep students in touch with their books. The lack of teacher supervision and absence of a classroom environment could deter many students from actually studying. It must be understood that under normal conditions, many children in the rural areas prefer going to the fields rather than attending school. So there had to be a way to facilitate better online teaching and learning to grab their attention. Any deficiencies in the system must also be addressed so that students remain engaged in their studies and the quality of education is not compromised.
Another big problem in Nagaland is the lack of access to technology. From electricity, internet and computers to smartphones, online education had widened the gap in education. While Nagaland claims to be 100% electrified, the picture is far from real. There are still many villages in Nagaland that are electrified' but don't receive electricity for months together. Also, owning a television set is a luxury that most people cannot afford in the villages. Thus, the very purpose of online education is defeated due to not having access to these devices.
The problem in urban area is not completely good either. Most schools are conducting classes through smartphones but not everyone can afford them. Some parents are being compelled to buy or even borrow from friends and neighbours so that their children do not suffer. Such is the state of affairs. The problem is compounded by poor mobile connectivity. So, to fully implement online education, all infrastructures must be in place otherwise education inequalities could further widen in the days to come.
Online education could also spur school dropouts especially in the high school section. Students, having being disengaged from their studies for so long could lose focus and interest. This possibility must not be ignored by all stakeholders because online classes is likely to go on for many days to come.
However, taking note of the positive aspects of online education, the government must focus of transforming the education system to suit the present conditions. It must evaluate the challenges facing online education and find solutions that can support this new form of education. This crisis could perhaps open up new opportunities for education. If technology can be used effectively, this may well become the new normal in the field of education.
Comments can be sent to merinachishi@gmail.com
