Digital divide still a challenge in remote teaching, learning: Experts

Over one-and-a-half years since the Covid pandemic broke out in India, the digital divide continues to pose challenges in remote teaching and learning, according to experts.

Teaching and learning activities had to move online when the pandemic forced the closure of schools and colleges. While technology ensured that learning is not completely suspended, the digital divide continues to make remote learning an “operational nightmare”.

A study by the Azim Premji Foundation showed that almost 60 per cent of school children in India cannot access online learning opportunities.

A similar study by Oxfam India found that even among students of urban private schools, half of the parents reported issues with Internet signal and speed. A third struggled with the cost of mobile data.