Online or offline class ?
What are you willing to do for the best ?

Mingyashin Shaiza *

Re-openning of schools in Imphal areas after lockdown in January 2021 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

This casual Sunday morning lets delve into the minds and life of the students and parents dealing with the pressure of online and offline classes. A lot of classes are ongoing right now. And primary schools in Ukhrul are all set to start on February 1. We can all imagine the excitement of the children and pressure on the parents.

Last Christmas, as I was browsing through the stunning and creative Christmas trees in every corner of Ukhrul town, I stumbled upon a letter written to Santa by a kid. Normally any kid would have asked for a cycle, a barbie, a remote car, candies or their favorite something. But this particular kid asked Santa to bring back their classes in school because he missed his friends.

Talking to kids around and getting their opinion, most of them prefer to go back to school now. Few years back, a lot of them would have wished for more holidays. Things have taken its turn, but in a good way.

As scary as the new variants and the various variants coming after that sounds, it's scarier to think of kids missing out on their prime time of learning. Every second spent on the phone, watching the trending mukbang/ASMR or other kids playing in their new toys or getting to play all the possible games available, is a step away from the education they need to get at their age.

Like the kid who wrote a letter to Santa, I am sure they miss their school friends, classroom, canteen, their teachers, the lessons, games and overall activities of a regular school.

On the other hand, parents are equally excited to send their kids to regular classes and at the same time worried that they could be exposed to the virus. Kids, as we know, like to touch everything, especially the things we ask them not to.

So here comes the big question. Are you willing to do what it takes for the kids to go back to their normal class or better yet, online class with the same attention and efforts of regular classes ?

The pandemic has really taken a toll on children. They don't know it yet but most of the parents are worried now. Busy parents couldn't give their time to educate their kids, so school was doing a great job educating them. But now with the on and off classes, the kids are not getting the education they deserve to get.

Here are some pros and cons of Online and Offline class

Online Class: Pros

1. Learning at the comfort of their home
2. Safe from virus and any harm
3. Parents can take part in their kids learning process
4. Can attend class from anywhere
5. It's more affordable in terms of transport, meal, etc

Online Class: Cons

1. Hard to concentrate on screen and not taken seriously by the students
2. Problem with bad network
3. Cannot be afforded by all
4. Not being able to be regular with the classes
5. The teachers have no way of knowing if their students understand his or her teachings.

Offline Class: Pros

1. Better connection between teachers and students, hence, better learning.
2. It has always been the regular mode of learning, so students are more adapted to it
3. Better concentration
4. Curriculum activities more possible
5. School is where discipline and manners are mostly taught. So, better manners and discipline.

Offline class: Cons

1. Not safe, unless utmost precautions and strict SOPs are maintained

There are tons of cons for offline class but what really matters right now is not getting infected. And once a student or any faculty gets infected it is best to avoid the school or institution. We all know that unless we take precautions and follow the instructions of the experts, there is no way the virus can vanish on its own. We are all on this together. The simple act of an individual matters a lot more now.

After looking at the pros and cons, the question continues -

1. Are the institutions/schools really willing to provide the facilities needed for the students to have a regular learning (online or offline)?
2. Are the teachers ready to do what it takes to provide value education to their students ?
3. Will the parents or guardian give what it takes so that their children can get good education ?

4. If online is the future, are we ready to adapt to it just yet ? I have observed that some schools give great importance and attention when the students give online examinations. There are invigilators present and the students are given strict time period to finish and submit their papers. This way the students take their online classes or exams seriously.

On the other hand, some schools just distribute questions to their students and ask to write it down and submit at a given time. With all respect, Teachers, you may or may not realize that most of the exams are given by someone else rather than the students. The answer script may be written by the students but it is mostly not answered by them.

Seeing that the online exam can be this easy, students start to lag in their studies and take it for granted. I would like to appeal to all parents, guardians, teachers and heads of the schools/institutes. When you sit down for a meeting, kindly consider young students and their future seriously.

Every decision you make and every action you take could be the deciding factor for their future. Students cannot help but follow what you decide. So, be more considerate and whatever you do, do it for them.

As for everyone, you and me could be the person to spread or stop spreading the virus. Let's all follow the instructions of the experts. They are experts for a reason. Let's fight together to bring an end to COVID-19.

Mask up and stay safe !