Covid-19 Crises and Its Impact on the Future of Pakistani Students

Impact of Covid-19 on Education System

The education sector in Pakistan has always suffered from different problems such as learning issues, student dropout, building facilities, and administrative issues. But the covid-19 pandemic has further aggravated the situation. The unprecedented school closure has badly affected the education system in Pakistan. Like other countries of the whole world, Pakistan also facing serious issues in the education system. As 22.8 million students are already out of school, widespread school closure further restricts the learning activities of 55.3 million children in Pakistan. The second wave of coronavirus further weakens the education system and poses a high risk to the future of students.

After the school reopening, many of the student especially girls not returning the schools likely to enhance the dropout rate. With the rise in inflation and economic losses, many parents prefer to send their children to workplaces rather than in schools to meet their daily expenditures especially in rural and peri-urban areas.

Impact on Public Schools

In a country like Pakistan where the public sector is already facing many problems, shrinkage in resources and utilization of funds to meet the coronavirus SOPs decrease the learning activities. The education process is badly affected in public sector schools. As the government has decided the 50% attendance of students in alternate days and not more than 20 students in each class, thus class with more than hundred students will have to come to the school once or twice in a week which badly affects their education. What would be the future of those students who attends their school once or twice a week?

Impact on Private Schools

Although private schools are offering distance learning through online classes but still, there is an issue due to lack of communication and the use of technology. There are also two categories in the private schools; Ones the having brands name with great facilities and better fee structure while the other category is low-cost private schools with rented buildings and low fee structure. The private schools with rented buildings and low fee structure are facing a real issue.

The children of better-off families are in comfortable to some extent having different facilities such as good internet connections, a better place for study and can hire a tutor. The gap would be widening as poor students do not have such facilities. Thus the gap between public and private schools is also widening.

Impact on Students' Grades/Assessment

Government has introduced a smart syllabus that comprises selected topics from the textbooks. But, there are many shortcomings in the smart syllabus too. The student will not clear their concepts as most of the topics are intermingle and some relevant topics are missing from the syllabus which ultimately affects their grades. The teacher is also facing some issues regarding syllabus coverage and assessment plans. The pattern of examination does still not confirm to the students and they do not know how to prepare for their final assessments. These issues can cause an impact on students learning activities and ultimately affect their grades.

Online Classes

 The government of Pakistan has launched "Teleschool" to educate the children of grades 1-12. Besides this, the government of Punjab also launched an education program with the name "Taleem Ghar" at the provincial level for public school students of grades 1-8. Private schools have also started online classes through zoom meeting. But this was not proved much beneficial due to various reasons such as student's behavior towards online learning, no interest to learn through television, lack of access to the internet, and mobile/laptop facility.  

Educational Reforms

The government has decided to partially reopen the schools from this month. Now it's time for the government to think over their policies and take such a measure which make the education system more sustainable, comprehensive, and equitable. There is a dire need to take necessary steps which overcome the weaknesses in the current system and create a resilient learning system. The government should promote the use of digital tools and modern technology in the education system.