Pandemic-Led Challenges for Rural Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had has a impact on education in Bangladesh, especially for rural areas students. This research was conducted in the South Bali Para village of Trishal Upazila in Mymensingh and focused to investigate the difficulties faced by rural students in terms of accessing and adjusting to online education during the pandemic. A sample of 300 students from primary to higher secondary levels was surveyed, and empirical research revealed that economic hardship and lack of access to online education were the primary concerns for rural students. This contrasts with urban students, who were primarily affected by mental health issues. According to the research findings, more than 60% of households in rural areas lacked internet access or smartphones, despite the fact that approximately 70% of primary, lower, and higher secondary students resided in these regions. Efforts to provide remote learning through methods such as television or multimedia classrooms in remote areas did not effectively support rural students in their online education during the pandemic. Therefore, the study highlights the socioeconomic challenges and costs of pandemic-led online education in rural Bangladesh, including the increased risk of dropouts and child marriages. The findings emphasize the urgent need for an inclusive and accessible strategy for remote learning that specifically addresses the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable students in Bangladesh.