Education has traditionally been a process of transferring knowledge and skills from one generation to the next through physical interaction. Historically, both educators and learners were required to be present in the same space, with a teacher guiding a large group of students toward shared academic goals. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines physical education as “a planned, progressive, and inclusive learning experience that forms part of the school curriculum, promoting physical activity, health, and well-being.”
However, in recent years, this conventional approach has undergone a profound transformation, shifting towards virtual platforms. This transition has revolutionized teaching and learning while also reducing certain negative impacts on physical and mental health. Traditional classroom tools, such as chalk and dusters, were once essential for educators but posed health risks, including vocal strain and exposure to harmful dust particles that could lead to respiratory issues and, in extreme cases, life-threatening conditions.
Recognizing these challenges, technological advancements have paved the way for various online platforms like Google Meet and Zoom, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. These platforms offer interactive features such as screen sharing, breakout rooms, and virtual whiteboards, allowing educators to create engaging lessons. Additionally, teachers can conduct live sessions or record lectures for students to review later. This flexibility has enhanced accessibility, enabling students to attend classes from anywhere, thus eliminating location-based barriers and making education more inclusive and adaptable.
In Nepal, this shift holds significant educational value, particularly for students in both urban and rural areas. Many high school graduates seek career opportunities while pursuing higher education, often balancing traditional occupations such as farming and animal husbandry. Virtual classrooms provide a solution, allowing students to attend classes at their convenience, whether in the morning or evening, without compromising their work commitments. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for middle-class families, where students often need to earn a livelihood while continuing their studies.
How has the transformation of education in Nepal not been an exception to hindrances?
Even if education has significantly transformed learning in Nepal, several challenges obstruct its effective implementation. The following are the major difficulties that are particularly a root issue in rural areas.
Hundreds of rural areas in most parts of mountainous, hilly and plain regions of Nepal lack stable internet access or suffer from frequent power cuts, making virtual learning inconsistent. Moreover, the internet costs even in the urban centers are unaffordable. quality of education virtually often leads to less student engagement compared to in-person learning as they face difficulties in practical subjects such as science and mathematics.
One study reveals that many educators lack appropriate training about how to use digital tools like Google Meet, Zoom and online teaching management systems. Teachers basically of the older generation do not expose in-depth interest in creating knowledge and managing them on the PDF or powerpoint method online. This certainly discourages learners to participate online and interact about a specific topic, ultimately leading to turning into a physical classroom model.
How we can solve online learning obstacles
However, the most striking solution to maximize virtual education and overcome the challenge is improving the internet connectivity and digital access. Both the government and private sectors' collaboration might help expand broadband infrastructure in rural and remote areas. Additionally, introducing discounted data packages in partnership between the government and Telecom Company could bring out positive consequences.
Furthermore, lowering costs for students or subsidizing laptops through educational grants, developing apps for smartphones with minimum data application and enabling lessons that are downloadable and providing accessibility to printed study materials for areas with no internet will encourage both facilitators and learners.
Furthermore, as the government plays a key role to mobilize teachers on a virtual basis, they should initiate comprehensive teacher training programs, making it compulsory for all teachers to attend digitally on platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom. Not only making it mandatory for all teachers from the government by law, but also they should be given some incentives by technical support, establishing helplines in provincial regions or online forums for teachers needing tech support.
Finally, as teachers play a pivotal role in the classroom, making it more interactive and collaborative ambiance among students, they should also make the classroom more engaging by using quizzes, polls, gamification and breakout rooms to keep students engaged. Similarly, combining virtual and in-person sessions, if possible for better interaction along with regular mentorship, can develop a habit of students towards virtual learning and dissemination of educational information.
