Accessibility of distance teaching and learning platforms used as catch up strategies amidst COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas

Abstract

The study explored accessibility of distance learning platforms used as catch up strategies amidst COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas at two selected secondary schools in Isoka district of Zambia. This study attempted to answer the research question ‘How accessible are the distance learning platforms used as catch up strategies amidst COVID-19 to learners in rural areas like those in Isoka district? The study employed a descriptive case study design following a qualitative approach. The study population comprised of grade 12 learners at Isoka boys’ and Muchinga secondary schools in Isoka district. Fifty (50) grade 12 leaners were purposively sampled to take part in the study. Qualitative data were collected using open-ended questionnaires and analysed thematically. Major findings of the study were that: (i) There was limited access to distance learning platforms used as catch up strategies during COVID-19 by some learners at the two secondary schools due to reasons such as; lack of technological devices and gadgets like smartphones, laptops, television sets and radio, unstable internet access, and insufficient power supply; (ii) There was no access to distance learning platforms at all, by some learners who literally had no gadgets and technological devices to use to access the online and broadcasted lessons. As a result, most of the learners experienced little or no learning through distance learning platforms used amidst COVID-19 pandemic. This study recommends that government in partnership with cooperating partners and other stakeholders should improve the internet access in rural areas. There is also need for the government through the ministry of education to find a way of providing rural schools with technological devices such as tablets, smartphones, laptops, and television sets so that learners can use them to access lessons through distance learning in case of predicaments such as COVID-19 pandemic.