KARACHI:
After the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, education systems around the world came to a grinding halt. Due to lockdown restrictions, educational institutions were forced to adopt online methods of teaching. Even though it has been rather difficult to transition from a physical learning environment to an online virtual system, something is better than nothing. That being said, we must realise that virtual connectivity has eroded the essence of our educational system. This will be exposed in the future when degree holders will remain devoid of any professional expertise.
Lack of physical interaction among teachers and students has prevented students from engaging in critical thinking and implementing what they have learnt into practice. Developments in technology and the availability of information online have further provided students with the ease of producing high-quality assignments. Students have thus resorted to copying and pasting everything. The absence of plagiarism checks and lack of interest from teachers has helped students get away with shoddy work. In addition, students in remote or far-flung areas do not have access to speedy internet or appropriate devices to access online education. Therefore, they have no choice but to take a break from their studies altogether. Institutes that have been able to implement online teaching have encountered many inadequacies. Teachers and students are unfamiliar with the online mode and there have been lags.
Now that we have a comprehensive vaccine programme in full swing, the education ministry should ensure that educational institutions are re-opened in a timely manner. The concerned authorities should encourage on-campus classes with strict implementation of SOPs. Further delay in opening educational institutions will be the final nail in the coffin for the country’s deteriorating standard of education. We need to realise that a prosperous and developed Pakistan is only possible with a smooth and steady education system.
M Akram
Skardu
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2021.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces
