View of IMPACT OF PANDEMIC ON HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

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VOLUME: 10, Special Issue 01, (IC-IESP-MULTI-2023) Paper id-IJIERM-X-I, January 2023 277

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT ISSN: 2348-4918 Peer Reviewed and Refereed Journal

IMPACT OF PANDEMIC ON HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION Sonali Rajput

(PhD Scholar political Science, DAVV School of Social Science) (UGC NET JRF Awardee, 2022)

Research Centre: SABV GACC Indore, MP Guide: Dr. Ashwini Kumar Sharma

(Professor, Political Science)

Abstract - Outbreak of Covid pandemic had caused tremendous catastrophe for mankind as it drastically affected all the segments of mankind but prominently Indian education sector suffered major setback, the cure for which is still under process. Especially Higher Education in Social Science and Humanities has manifested a major downfall.

The need for online learning created by pandemic highlighted lacuna of Indian Education Sector as there was lack of sufficient digital infrastructure; and also available one was allocated on priority basis for STEM(Science-Tech, Engineering, Mathematics) sector; problems were also faced due to lack of teachers’ compatibility with digital infrastructure, then there were problems due to lack of sincerity, discipline and consistency among students due to online classes as a result the students of these academic sessions did not acquire relevant excellence.

In true sense, covid has exposed drawbacks of social science and humanities education mechanism which needs to be worked upon by the government in sync with public.

Although Indian government had begun prioritizing digital literacy and teachers’

training much before pandemic but now the process needs to be speed up to achieve effectiveness and efficiency.

And for discipline, at higher education level, Carrot-and-Stick approach by faculty to impart discipline among students is not desirable as at this age, the students should themselves have sense of discipline and responsibility for their career.

Also, Social Science and Humanities sector should be considered at par with other sectors as it contributes equal to the nation.

The Social Science and Humanities sector provides for exponential boost of socio- economic-politico-psychological-cultural milieu of India but it needs backing of state-of-the- art technology, infrastructure(digital-physical), up to date teaching mechanism, trained and equipped faculty, government support and popular participation then this stream can prove to be a multi-fruit yielding asset for the nation.

1 INTRODUCTION

The Social Science and Humanities stream has always served as the supporting pillar for the premises of Indian socio-politico, psychological, economic and cultural development. As History, it has always promoted Indian cultural heritage and tourism. As Public Administration, it has helped to ensure smooth functioning of administrative machinery. As Political Science, it has laid strong foundation for Indian Political Development. As Geography, it has supported multi-dimensionally through strengthening road-railway- water-air connectivity, mineral exploration, water management and agricultural development. As Philosophy, it has always reaped ideologies which has contributed for the betterment of mankind. As Social Work discipline, it has aided government and other non- governmental public welfare bodies through ideas and aids for literacy, education, morale- building, self-reliance and employment for the upliftment of the marginalized sections of society.

Despite of these contributions, the stream face drawbacks in terms of less funding, less recognition in comparison to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) stream, poor physical infrastructure, inadequate digital infrastructure and ill- equipped and less-trained faculty.

Added to this, pandemic of Covid 19 also shattered the branches of this stream to a large extent as the need for online-learning created by pandemic exposed vulnerabilities of

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stream in form of insufficient digital infrastructure, lack of digital literacy among many of the faculty (senior/old aged) and problems of lack of self-discipline and consistency among students as a result the pupils of the academic sessions of Covid times did not acquire relevant knowledge and excellence which will have a long lasting impact on their career.

This research paper focusses on highlighting impact of Covid pandemic on Humanities and Social Science stream, existing loopholes, if any, need for governmental interference and suggestions to build a resilient education strategy and implementation mechanism for the Humanities and Social Science education so that the stream remains undisturbed in future even after any kind of pandemic/disaster.

1.1 Objectives of the Research Paper

This research paper focusses on following objectives-

 To understand the significance of Social Science and Humanities education in India.

 To highlight loopholes, if any, in current planning and implementation mechanism of education in Social Science and Humanities.

 To understand impact of Covid pandemic on this stream.

 To study remedial measures taken to combat the impact of pandemic on this stream.

 To suggest reforms for educational framework of Humanities and Social Science.

 To develop a robust and resilient model of education for Humanities and Social Science that can stand strong against any pandemic or adverse condition in every manner.

1.2 Hypotheses of the Research Paper

Following hypotheses have been considered in this research paper-

 Social Science and Humanities contribute to the wholistic advancement of nation.

 Covid 19 has hit Humanities and Social Science stream drastically.

 Digital gap needs to be filled in this stream.

 A digitally empowered, well-equipped, robust and resilient model of education is needed for this stream that can tackle any kind of catastrophe, if arise in future.

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2.1 Method of Research:

 Qualitative Method of Research is used which has primarily focused to cover subjective matter such as;

 Problems faced by Social Science and Humanities teachers during pandemic era in delivering online teaching and level of their digital compatibility at that time and how did it take for them to learn digital process and effectively utilize it in students’

favor.

 Experience of students about online classes and exam during pandemic area.

 Experience of Social Science and Humanities college in maintaining co-ordination between teachers and students; and also, how they managed to arrange for digital resources for online lectures of teachers.

2.2 Sampling Technique:

In this research paper, Purposive Sampling Technique (a type of Non-Probability based sampling) is used as in this research sample data is students of Social Science and Humanities stream of academic session 2020-21 and 2021-22 and also their teachers.

2.3 Type of Research:

It is Applied Research as it focusses particularly on the problem faced by Social Science and Humanities education due to Covid and attempts to find possible solutions.

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2.4 Nature of Research:

Research is purely analytical in nature as it analyses the importance of Social Science and Humanities, the impact of Covid on Social Science and Humanities stream very minutely from the viewpoint of teachers, students and educational institutions.

2.5 Research Design:

Conclusive Research Design is considered to conclude significance and contribution of Social Science and Humanities, to conclude ill-effects of Covid on Social Science and Humanities and stream and also to conclude all possible remedies to cope with such situation in future.

2.6 Data Collection:

Both primary and secondary sources are considered:

2.7 Primary Data:

 Interviews of students and teachers of Social Science and Humanities Stream of academic sessions of pandemic era.

 Interviews of Principal and Director of Social Science and Humanities colleges and also of HODs (Head of Departments) of various Social Science and Humanities subjects.

2.8 Secondary Data:

 Newspaper articles, reports and websites to understand significance of Social Science and Humanities.

3 RESULTS

Significance of Social Science and Humanities- The research study found that the Social Science and Humanities stream is inseparable from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) as the moral science required while conducting scientific experiments, technological inventions, medical surgeries, accounting and auditing, making corporate decisions and framing policies is part of Philosophy branch of Social Science and Humanities. Also, the subject of History has been promoting art which acquires place in UNESCO intangible cultural heritage such as Vedic Chanting Tradition, Ramman (religious festival of Garhwal) and 7 more, and also, History has promoted tourism a lot and helped to earn foreign currencies. The knowledge of subject matter of geography has helped to understand weather phenomena to save lives and loss of property, in addition, it also promoted economic development through exploration of Thorium in Kerala, Uranium in Jharkhand and also evolving cropping methodology according to geographic location and weather of the area. The Political Science and Public Administration are the reasons behind India being World’s largest democracy and strong political system and current reforms to ensure good governance, e-governance, transparency and accountability of administration and government.

Impact of pandemic on Social Science and Humanities education- During research, it was found that teachers had to suffer as many were old in age and had never even used smart phones and those who had access to these phones had utilized it only for the purpose of social media; online teaching, camera angle, voice problem, connectivity issues were faced on one hand while on other hand students living in cities for education moved to their villages often faced network problems causing irregularities and disturbance in learning, and also, online classes and online examination had made many of them careless and ill-disciplined as a result they lost their consistency and still face problems to get back on track and also knowledge and excellence which they missed in these sessions will cause regrets during entire life. Also, during pandemic, the colleges first allocated digital resources in STEM streams then requirements of Social Science and Humanities stream were considered.

Other problem in Social Science and Humanities stream- Faculty in Social Science and Humanities are not allocated on medium of education basis i.e., faculty teaching in Hindi

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language is also allocated for English medium students as a result, English medium students suffer in getting exact terminologies and also sometimes, English faculty teaching Hindi medium students cause same problem for Hindi medium students.

Also, a smaller number of faculty are hired for this stream such as 2 teachers will be teaching all 4 or 5 subjects thus faculties having generalized knowledge of all subjects but lack specialized knowledge in any of the subjects. This stream also receives less funding than other streams thus it lacks proper physical infrastructure and very few digital resources.

4 DISCUSSION

Social Science and Humanities stream is multi-dimensional having indispensable significance for India from social, political, economic and cultural point of view, thus, this stream needs to be duly recognized at par with other streams; Indian government has made significant steps in the field of digital literacy and teachers’ training and upgradation, now the process needs to be speed up with the accountable executives, convergence and monitoring of funds, time-to-time re-examination and assessment of teachers, periodic training of teachers, 360 degree evaluation, feedback mechanism, two way interaction and doubt sessions, fair and timely practical examinations, emphasis on multi-lingual knowledge acquisition specially knowledge of English must be proper in both teachers and students so as to ensure proper communication and behavioral change among students and teachers to quest for new learning.

An educational model having pro-active approach to involve active and willing participation of students is needed where education creates curiosity and quest for knowledge and excellence among students and teachers also, then only they will develop a sense of self-discipline and students will learn responsibility for their own career, this education model must have space for digital learning, participation, group discussions, debates on burning topics, seminars and competitions to promote knowledge of the stream and most importantly vocational learning alongside the mainstream to promote employment.

REFERENCES Reports:

UNESCO. (2022). List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Newspapers(articles):

The Hindu. (July 09, 2012). The Entire Gamut of Social Sciences

The Hindu. (February 02, 2020). Science and Humanities must be on an Even Plane The Hindu. (July 05, 2020). Humanities and Social Sciences are Relevant in Every Field Websites:

Indiaeducation.net. - https://indiaeducation.net/cbse/class-10/imp[ortance-of-humanities-stream/ Importance of Humanities stream: Humanities Stream- Nature, Scope and Why to Study