ONLINE LEARNING IN PANDEMIC - AN ANALYSIS OF PARENTAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 1.6 billion children and youth to be out of school in 161 countries. The crisis has highlighted flaws in educational programs while also providing opportunities to reshape schooling. Climate change, technological disruptions, and globalized communication are all increasing the likelihood of such crises. These issues have given rise to doubts and debates regarding the dilution of the educational systems and dubiousness being felt by the parents regarding the same. As a result of the transition of homes into classrooms, parental engagement and parental involvement have emerged as major influencing factors of online education. As parents are the major stakeholders in the online educational format. They have always played an important role in their children's education. However, in the aftermath of the pandemic, the parent's position has shifted dramatically. Parents now bear a significant amount of responsibility for their children's education. This has given rise to conflicting emotions in the parents regarding the dilution of the education system and more importantly the onus of child’s education shifting to the parents thereby reducing the responsibility of the schools and teachers. Often parents have been heard expressing their resentment at the reconfigured roles and responsibilities caused by the shift. The present study intends to focus in their perspectives on online education. The present study attempts to understand the dilemma being faced by the parents.