A silver lining or digital divide? Systematic review of literature on online learning during Covid-19 in Nepal

Abstract

Almost all educational institutions across the globe jumped into online learning since the declaration of Covid-19 as a global pandemic. Nepali academic institutions from pre-primary schools to universities also entered into online learning. Such online learning aimed to control the educational damage threatened by the infectious pandemic and lingering lockdown. This study draws on 33 research papers to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) concerning online learning during Covid-19 in Nepal. In particular, the study investigates whether online learning created a digital divide or contributed to a positive contribution to the quality of delivery of education in Nepal in future. The systematic review finds that frequent power cuts, poor internet connectivity and inadequate ICT tools for online learning as the most common educational hindrances along with the loss of practical, applied activities and fieldwork for those studying technical subjects. The final SWOT analysis identified more weaknesses and threats in comparison to strengths and opportunities associated with online learning during Covid-19 in Nepal. However, if Nepal and her academic institutions minimize or redress the weaknesses, reinforce the existing strengths, institutionalize the opportunities, and mitigate the possible threats concerning online learning, the learning has the potential to become more effective. Certainly, there is a digital divide, but the study also identified the strengths and opportunities of online learning during Covid-19 that have stemmed the educational damage as a silver lining in the cloud of the Corona Virus.