AH

Alase Hrishikesh RajendraAIR 61

Question 12GS2GS2

12. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced universities, schools and other educational institutions around the world to shut down their campuses indefinitely and move their educational activities onto online platforms. These institutions were not prepared for such a transition and their offline teaching-learning process evolved gradually. Though students considered online learning with efficiency, there have been reports that the students prefer learning in physical classrooms to online education. The students feel that online education is stressful and affects their health and social life. Moreover, not all students have equal access to, and expertise on, digital technologies. Although these inequalities existed earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed this digital divide. Considering yourself as the Chairman of a Committee, constituted by the government, to suggest measures to improve the quality and accessibility of online education, answer the following questions: (a) What are the key ethical issues at stake here? (b) Highlight the principles and values that will guide your recommendations to the government. (c) Suggest measures to improve the quality and accessibility of online education in the country. (20)

Open scan (p.56)

Main Body

Shift to online medium has been [beneficial as well as has its downsides in some situations]

beneficial as well as has its downsides in some situations.

(A) Ethical issues:

1Inclusivity and equity in development
2Future of children's education and their careers
3Enforcement of social divide & PG deepening is at stake
4Mental health and physical development of students.
5Nutrition of poor sectional children

(B) Principle and values that will guide my recommendations:

1Inclusivity and equality
2Compassion and empathy towards vulnerable poor section

Emotional intelligence to understand the difficulties faced by children, parents & faculty.

(C) Objective and Critical thinking to ensure benefit to maximum population

(D) Measures to improve:

1Quality:
Technical training course for teacher eg: to use zoom, drives etc
Curriculum videos in mother tongue must be uploaded on youtube for better / alternative source. eg: Kodkade district
Active participation based activities to ensure students remain engaged.
Constant simple evaluation to ensure doubts are cleared regularly
Exams must involve analysis & critical thinking rather than learning since copying is easy in these exams.
Active feedback & interaction with parents
2Accessibility:
Ensure compatibility & access with all the devices, eg: even on mobile
The physical exampaper, textbook

must be provided to students at home. eg: Courier

3State must look into providing subsidised facilities, net-pack etc for students.
Constant communication over whatsapp by teachers
Video lectures on youtube so they can watch anytime

(E) I would also suggest:

Fixed number of hours daily & lecture
Promotion of non-curriculum class eg: drawing, exercise etc
Interaction among students must be ensured during breaks - similar to recess.

to ensure good mental health of students.

294 words9 paragraphs13 bullet points

Conclusion

to ensure good mental health of students.

7 words

Examiner score
1.4/10

Open original scan

Page 56

Topper

Alase Hrishikesh Rajendra

AIR 61

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Social Sector Services - Education

Online Education and Digital Divide

COVID-19 Impact on Education

Writing Stats

301

Total words

9

Paragraphs

13

Bullets

analytical

Tone