View of COVID-19 PANDEMIC: POSITIVE & NEGATIVE IMPACT ON EDUCATIONAL SECTOR IN INDIA

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224 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT ISSN: 2348-4918

Peer Reviewed and Refereed Journal

VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 01, (IC-IESP-MULTI-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-I, January 2023

COVID-19 PANDEMIC: POSITIVE & NEGATIVE IMPACT ON EDUCATIONAL SECTOR IN INDIA

Asst. Prof. Namrata Sharma KKVVAM, Indore

Abstract - The COVID-19 has altered the educational paradigm and had an impact on every stage of the human life cycle. To counter COVID-19, the government implemented a nationwide lockdown on March 25, 2020, which had a significant negative influence on the educational sector. The COVID-19 epidemic caused unthinkable disruptions across the world. It is clear that one of the most affected industries was educational system when we reflect on the past two years and the severe pandemic effects that persist to this day. When the globe quickly shifted to using online platforms, neither society nor educational institutions were ready to accept it. The threats we confront increase as the globe gets more linked. National boundaries have not prevented the COVID-19 epidemic. Regardless of gender, income, or ethnicity, it has impacted everyone. However, the same cannot be said of its effects, which have disproportionately hurt the weakest.

The same is true of education. Students from wealthy families who have their parents' backing, are willing to learn, and are capable of doing so might be able to find their way through closed school doors to alternative learning alternatives. When their schools closed, those from poor backgrounds frequently remained excluded.

This issue has highlighted the numerous flaws and injustices in our educational institutions, including lack of access to the computers and broadband necessary for online learning as well as the supporting surroundings required for concentration.

1 INTRODUCTION

The lockdown and shutdown of educational institutions has been announced by the Indian government as a logical way to enforce social segregation among communities. The country's educational system has been greatly impacted by the state wide lockdown, particularly for kids from remote areas. The current situation has made it very difficult for educational institutions to operate because the Indian educational system is predicated on classroom instruction. During this time, all educational activities such as exams, school admissions, entrance exams for different colleges, and competitive exams, among others, are held. The closing of schools and institutions is having a significant negative impact on learning across the nation as the days go by and there is still no immediate answer to stop this outbreak.

1.1 Objectives

This study's main goal is to evaluate COVID-19's effects on the Indian educational system.

This study will specifically look at:

• How the Indian educational sector is coping with the effects of COVID-19, emphasising the role played by teachers and students through online education.

• How the good effects of online education will benefit students, parents, and teachers.

• How to lessen the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on pupils for a smooth educational experience.

2 METHODOLOGY

The study's data and information were compiled from a number of publications and articles about the COVID-19 pandemic's effects that were released by national and international levels. Additionally, data is gathered from other trustworthy websites. Additionally, some journals that discuss the effect of COVID-19 on the educational system are referred.

2.1 Purpose of the Study

Each sector has its advantages and disadvantages. The objective should be to maximise strengths and minimise weaknesses in order to avoid missing the chance to advance. The study's primary goal is to evaluate COVID-19's effects on Indian education sector. It

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discusses how COVID-19 has affected whole urban and rural students as well as higher education system in India.

2.2 Digital Infracture in India

Nobody anticipated that the look of Indian educational sector would change so significantly before the COVID-19 lockdown in India. Schools, Colleges and coaching that had previously prohibited the use of electronic devices became centres for online learning. Both teachers and children are becoming accustomed to this new normal, making it more difficult for the teachers to manage this circumstance. When switching to online learning, teachers also encounter difficulties creating effective classes and adapting their methods of instruction;

however, workshops and training can also help with these issues.

2.3 Impact on Teachers and Students

When learning online, there are several challenges that teachers and students must overcome. Major challenges at home included a lack of basic amenities, outside distractions, and family interruptions during lessons. The budget for purchasing cutting- edge technologies, a lack of training, a lack of technical assistance, as well as a lack of clarity and direction, were among the impediments to educational institution support.

Technical issues were also experienced by teachers. The challenges were categorised under a lack of technical support; they included security issues, a lack of technical infrastructure, and a lack of knowledge of online teaching platforms. Teachers' personal issues, such as a lack of technical understanding and difficulty integrating technology into their courses, limit their willingness to teach online. Beneficial effects on the educational system despite the fact that COVID-19's breakout has had several adverse effects

Positive Impact on Education Sector:

 Promote the use of digital learning resources – During lockdowns, students were unable to retrieve their physical copies of study guides, thus the majority of them used digital resources as a resource.

 Enhancement of teamwork – A fresh possibility exists for collaborative teaching and learning to assume novel forms.

 Increase in online meetings: As a result of the epidemic, there have been many more opportunities for teleconferencing, virtual meetings, webinars, and e-conferencing.

 Improved digital literacy – The pandemic situation encouraged people to learn about and use digital technologies, which led to an increase in digital literacy.

 Improved use of electronic media for information sharing: Learning materials are easily shared among students, and questions are answered via e-mail, SMS, phone calls.

Negative Impact on Education Sector:

• Educational activity is hindered—Schools are shuttered, and classes have been halted. India's yearly exams and entrance exams have already been postponed by many boards.

• Teachers and students are unprepared for online education; they were not ready for this abrupt shift from face-to-face learning to online learning.

• Parents' role: In urban areas, some educated parents are able to guide, but some may not have the necessary level of education to teach children at home.

• Digital gadgets: Especially in rural areas, many students have limited or no internet access and many students lack digital devices.

• Create Difference: This online teaching-learning method creates a big gap between rich vs. poor and urban vs. rural students.

3 OBSERVATION AND SUGGESTATIONS

Some of the most significant flaws in the Indian educational system have been exposed by this pandemic. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds have been severely impacted by school closures. One of the important trends that can be followed is the requirement to combine an approach to online learning with an increase in spending on the modernization

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of educational institutions' digital infrastructure. The importance of teacher training must be emphasised. All higher education institutions should make substantial efforts to conduct technology-driven education using the learning management system given that they are all aware of the significance of technology. It is advised that educational institutions make full use of technology. The epidemic demonstrates how technology and education will always work together. Few Suggestations

• India should come up with innovative plans to guarantee that every child would have ongoing access to education during the pandemic. COVID-19. For the Indian policies to be effectively implemented, a variety of people from varied backgrounds, including those from distant areas, marginalised groups, and minority groups, must be involved.

• Prompt action is needed to limit the pandemic's impact on employment offers, internship opportunities, and research projects.

• A variety of programmes on the same subjects are available on many online learning platforms, each with its own certification levels, methodology, and evaluation criteria.

As a result, programme quality may vary among various online learning platforms. As a result, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India must establish quality assurance systems and quality benchmark for online learning programmes in light of the industry's rapid expansion.

• Government agencies and educational institutions should make plans to keep up their educational programmes while maintaining social distance. By adhering to COVID-19 rules, 30–40% of students and teachers may attend schools/colleges in two shifts per day to do educational activities. Today, having access to technology and the internet is a must. Therefore, in order to enable students to continue their education during pandemics, the necessary infrastructure and digital capabilities must reach the poorest and most remote populations. Public funding must be used to narrow the internet accessibility gap and guarantee that students can still learn online. The state governments and private organisations ought to develop solutions to the problem of digital education.

4 CONCLUSION

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on India's education industry. Despite the numerous difficulties it has brought about, numerous opportunities have also arisen. To address the current COVID-19 dilemma, the Indian government and several educational stakeholders have looked into the idea of open and distance learning through the use of various digital technologies. India is not entirely prepared to use digital platforms to spread education throughout the entire country. The current selection of digital platforms will harm the kids who are less fortunate than the others. Utilizing digital technology to give millions of Indian kids a competitive advantage should be the top goal. The educational institutions must immediately improve their knowledge and information technology infrastructure.

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