The Covid-19 pandemic had hit all the different sectors including the education sector, this is true even for Pakistan. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, the educational institutes in the country were closed from March 13, 2020, for a period of three weeks. However, this was extended later till 15th July 2020. When it was realized that the global pandemic is not slowing down and closing the educational institutes for long is not an option, education institutes across the world shifted to virtual learning or remote learning to ensure that the students can engage in the learning process from the comfort of their home. This has not only ensured that the students can continue their learning in the middle of a pandemic but has acted as a way to ensure the mental health of the students is taken care of.
Education In Pakistan During Covid-19 PandemicÂ
During the pandemic, physical learning was neither an option for private educational institutions nor public institutions. Virtual learning during the pandemic was first welcomed by the private institutes where e-classes were ensured with the help of platforms like Skype, Zoom and Google Classroom. However, such online classes were limited mostly to the urban region of Pakistan. Even though online classes are not fully able to compensate for offline classes, it has proved to be of great help to ensure remote learning and provide the students with the flexibility to learn.
In addition to that, the government also launched Teleschool, a dedicated instruction channel for the students to provide them with academic content. The channel provided content for the students studying from kindergarten to secondary school. In short, an advanced and new approach to study was visible in Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic. These changes have made it possible to reimagine the education system of Pakistan for the future.
Reimagining The Education System Of Pakistan
The changes that took place in the education system during the pandemic have given a clear picture of how the education system can take a shape in the future. In future, classrooms will be available both in the physical and the online or digital space. A hybrid educational model can be expected in the near future in Pakistan.
With the acceptance of online classes in Pakistan, it will become possible for students to engage in learning activities anywhere and anytime. For instance, it is now possible to complete the syllabus of a Sarkari Exam for the students at their own pace to accomplish a successful Sarkari Result. There are already many open courses available across the globe which has made it possible for students around the globe to engage in education without any geographical boundaries and other constrictions.
Thanks to technology, customized learning experiences will be given preference in the near future. One model of teaching and learning fits all will be thrown out of the window by most educational institutions. Technology has made it possible to customize the learning experience of the students. The customization of the education works on the learner-first approach where every student gets the freedom to continue the learning at their own pace based on their skills and availability. Customized learning is extremely useful to ensure that the students are able to work to harness their ability fully at their own pace wit
Also, a flipped classroom is expected in the near future in Pakistan. In flipped classrooms, the teachers record the lessons beforehand for the students, which the students get to absorb at their own pace. After absorbing the lessons online, the students can come to the classroom to get their queries resolved by the teacher. Also, one can expect to see a heavy emphasis on skill-based courses. In the current world, skill-based education is given a good amount of preferences and new job avenues are opening up due to digital advancement.
Technology will play a key role in reimagining the future of the education system in Pakistan. It is, therefore, particularly important that both the students and the teachers are equipped with technological skills to ensure that lack of technological skill does not prove to be a barrier for them. Virtual learning is the future of education in Pakistan.