A STUDY OF INEQUALITIES IN VIRTUAL LEARNING IN INDIA AS AN IMPACT OF COVID-19

Abstract

The global pandemic COVID-19 has adversely impacted the education system in India. It has widened the inequality gap between those who can afford and access the digital devices and those who cannot. This paper examined how COVID-19, tremendously widened the inequality in Indian education due to the continuation of virtual learning as a supplementary mode of providing education. Data were collected from more than 200 respondents belonging to the different classes of society across the several parts of India about their experience of virtual learning in terms of accessibility & affordability to digital devices and stable internet connections. Results showed wider disparities among different groups of society for learning resources. Poorer sections are worst affected by COVID-19 in comparison to upper sections of society leading to the fall in enrolment rates, considerable spike in dropout rates, high gender inequality in virtual learning, digital divide, poor crisis management etc. The objectives of the study are presented with factual data to highlight the originality of the paper.