Educational Challenges That Developing Nations Face in Learning Amid COVID-19

The occurrence of the coronavirus disease pandemic roughly set the global educational systems to complete closure. Nearly 1.6 billion students coming from over 190 countries and continents are severely affected.  

It’s because aside from tons of businesses or companies, the majority of government administrations assume that suspending school operations might help contain the unceasing spread of the virus.  

However, as the end of the year approaches, more countries are relaxing their lockdown measures and are also slowly re-opening school operations through online classes. While this may sound acceptable, such educational challenges may abstain the students’ engagement to learn, primarily in developing countries.  

On that note, we would like to raise awareness regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic not only to the business industry but also to the developing countries’ educational systems. Find out how students of third-world countries thrive to keep up with the educational system during these uncertain times. 

Unemployment of parents or breadwinners in the family

The increase in the unemployment rate worldwide since the lockdown measures took place is unprecedented. In developing countries, the unemployment rate also impacts the way children pursue their education through online classes.

If a parent or the breadwinner loses his/her job amid COVId-19, the big question is, who would support the child’s access to the internet? Who would sustain the child with the devices or gadgets to comply with online classes?

Lack of internet access, especially in remote areas

The next possible educational challenge that developing countries might experience through school continuations is the lack of internet access. In developing countries, the internet is very much slower than that of the more advance countries and continents. 

Not only that, not every family in developing countries can pay the possible internet expenses to keep up with the online classes. 

Private tutoring could be an option, yet not everyone can afford it.

While the more advanced countries and continents can opt for private tutoring for a better and safer educational system, it’s the opposite for the developing countries. Private tutoring might provide students with a more excellent approach to learning amid COVID-19, but it costs expensive.

Lack of technology and needed devices for online classes

Since classes are transitioning online, developing countries might face a lack of technology and needed devices this pandemic season. Aside from the issues in the internet affordability and availability, developing countries might also find it hard to provide every student with laptops, computers, or any devices that may help them keep up with the “new normal” in the educational systems. 

Issues towards children’s engagement to learn amid the pandemic

Another visible issue in the educational systems this COVID-19 period is the children’s engagement to learn. Students might feel discouraged and demotivated if they lack resources to pursue their education during this difficult time. 

There might be an issue with the electricity expenses, internet connection costs, lack of devices or gadgets to use for online classes, electricity shortages, and possible school and university fees that needs to fulfil. 

The bottom line:

For other countries and continents, continuing their school operations through online classes or sessions might be the best option for their students. But for the developing countries, it’s another challenge to face in this unstoppable spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The key points above show how complicated it is for developing countries to keep up with the more advanced countries or continents, especially that the COVID-19 is there.

Author Bio:

Kath Ramirez took up journalism as her Bachelor’s Degree with library and information science on the side and now writes for InFlow Education. It’s an Australian-based private tutoring organisation that provides a comprehensive approach to education. After a busy working week, you’ll either see her binge-watching on Netflix, cuddling with her fur babies, bonding with her family or devouring her mom and sisters’ homemade goodies.