The Suitability of Distance Education for Students With Mental Health Issues and Economically Disadvantaged Students in East Java

Abstract

Distance learning is not the only effective way to achieve the goals of education in the post-pandemic era, and it is not suitable for some students, in part because of the implications on mental health of following distance learning implementation. This research used qualitative methods together with a case study approach and it took place in East Java. The results showed that distance learning was not as effective with the students with mental health issues who were studied in this research. This was due in part to the lack of internet access in certain facilities. Students also experienced stress due to distance learning, especially sociology students. Most assignments which students were asked to do via distance learning were categorized as projects. Such projects forced students to think critically, while distance learning conditions rendered critical thinking more difficult. Another case study showed that economically disadvantaged students were not favored through distance learning. Many students were disturbed by the fact that their parents had become unemployed, and many students’ needs could not be fulfilled by their parents because of this economic problem.
 Keywords: remote learning, mental health students