Covid-19 has touched and twisted the functioning of the entire world and, not to forget, every aspect of our lives. After long home confinement of almost two years, things are going back to normal at a languid and calculated pace.

However, during the extended period we spent trapped inside, our homes were the basis for our daily activities. Apart from being our sanctuaries, our homes fulfilled the multiple purposes of office space and virtual classrooms.

Pandemic and Classrooms

Talking about classrooms, the impact of the pandemic on the education system is quite evident. With everything shifted online, from classes to examinations to even social events, the adjustments haven’t been easy. It has been equally challenging for the students and the faculties to cope with the new changes.

For the students, their school or college life, which they wouldn’t get to experience again, has been cancelled. What should have been fun, active, and adventurous years of students’ lives are spent lazily inside their rooms. In addition, the constant uncertainty regarding the commencement of offline classes and the monotony of the online classes have affected the learning experience.

What most people don’t realise is that access to the internet is also a privilege in itself. Students hailing from economically weak backgrounds and underdeveloped areas neither possess devices nor internet connectivity for attending online classes. Though implemented, keeping everyone’s safe, not every student has had fair and hassle-free access to education through online classes.

Online Classes and their Impact

Online classes have impacted the teaching process as well. No matter how convenient it is, nothing can replace an actual classroom’s interactive one-on-one teaching atmosphere. Unfortunately, the sudden digital change has diminished the teaching experience and ability of most teachers. While the comparatively younger teachers have been able to adjust better, the senior faculties are mostly struggling. Having been following the traditional teaching method and not being very tech-savvy, online teaching for them has been a nightmare.

Being applauded for brilliance all their lives, lagging in technological awareness has placed a massive blow to their confidence in their abilities. Additionally, catering to the needs and monitoring the growth of each student through online classes has been quite a challenge.

Dilemma of the Parents

Along with students and teachers, parents have made certain adjustments since the beginning of online classes. With the students enrolled in schools and colleges, there was the maintenance of a daily routine, disrupted.

While before COVID, parents used to be on with their daily chores, ever since the pandemic, that has entirely changed. Now, the entire time is spent keeping track of their children’s online classes, uploading assignments, and downloading worksheets.

All these have significantly impacted the home environment and also the routines of the parents. By now, as much as they love their children, parents are eagerly waiting for offline classes to begin.

Educational institutions not only facilitate the educational growth of an individual but also enhance their cultural growth. Online classes, though convenient, can never accommodate the learning experiences acquired in an actual educational setting. With multiple reasons in favour of the offline classes, it is time to resume the same by following the necessary precautions.

Before the second wave struck even harder, the offline classes were commenced allowing the students to reclaim their traditional academic life. It was surprising to see the students eagerly waiting to return to the same educational institutions. At times, they hated going to. The silver lining of Covid-19 is undeniably the realisation of the importance of the smallest of things. Here’s hoping that everything gets back to normal soon for us to appreciate and enjoy the life we have been blessed with.