How to research educational inequalities arising from remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic? Research in countries of the Visegrad Group (V4)

Abstract

Due to many restrictions in Central and Eastern Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the area of formal education of young people was dominated by remote (on-line) classes. Although, research has been conducted on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and social inclusion of young people, their families and teachers, most of the studies only included urban youth with access to digital technologies and infrastructure. However, there are no studies of young people from rural areas, small towns, and less developed areas. The article presents the conclusion from analyses using the desk research technique of the existing documents and research results of the effect of the pandemic on teachers, students and their families from different groups and backgrounds from the area of Visegrad Region countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia). The desk research was the initial stage for further research on peripheral regions of the countries. The further research methodology is also presented in the article.