Large number of students enrolled in universities only rely on resources made available to them by their institution
KARACHI: It has been announced by the government that all educational institutions will remain closed till July 1, at least. When coronavirus cases started emerging in Pakistan, the closure of educational campuses was indeed a much-needed step to control the spread of the virus. With the situation now worsening, the question is whether universities can remain closed for such a long time? It will be difficult for Pakistan to take such a risk because of the sorry state the education sector is already in.
A large number of students enrolled in the universities only rely on the resources made available to them by their institution. Since majority of students hail from humble backgrounds, the new-found method of online classes does not suit them. Many of them are unable to attend classes because they lack technological facilities. Furthermore, students claim that online classes are less effective because they fail to understand the lectures due to their physical absence in a learning environment, which is a key factor. The Higher Education Commission, on the other hand, is doing its best to cope with the situation and helping out universities in online training, software development and circulating online material.
This crisis has created complications in the educational system and has caused uncertainty as to whether exams should take place or not. Online exams from home would mean that there will be no transparency as students will have nobody to keep a check on them.
Manal Sheheryar
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2020.
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