A General Perspective of Online Learning during Pandemic COVID-19: A Case Study in Chakdaha Block, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Considering education is the prerequisite for human development, World Education Forum (1990) declared that provisions should be made for educating all people. The Government of India has already ensured free and compulsory education to all children within the age group between 6 and 14 under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution (The Right to Education Act, 2009). In 2006, the Government of India has introduced online learning in rural and urban areas as a purview of propagating education. Online learning is the electronic education process by which a learner can learn effectively. Now-a-days, it seems to be a useful tool for upgrading and propagating education throughout the globe. Report depicts that internet access in rural India is nearly 20.26%, as compared to 64.84% in urban India, whereas in West Bengal the internet access is estimated as a whole around 11% (Internet Live Stats, 2016). Lack of infrastructure, hardware facilities, Government policies, strategies and schemes, awareness about online learning material usage, computer based courses, skilled trainers etc. are becoming a hindrance for online learning to rural learners. In this context, the objective of the paper is to evaluate the uses and effectiveness of online learning during Pandemic COVID-19. The implication of the study is discussed through a case study in Chakdaha Block, West Bengal, India.