The number of student in South Asia is growing. Some countries like Bangladesh have the opportunity termed demographic dividend. Demographic dividend causes a boost in productivity (economic) that happens when there are growing numbers of people in the workforce (the working-age population from 15 to 64) relative to the number of dependents (the non-working-age population – 14 or younger & 65 or older).
At the age of globalisation, the companies in Bangladesh employ experts and human resources from abroad. But the country has lots of unemployed people. The coronavirus will worsen the situation. For examples, part-time jobs are going extinct.
Education Challenges & Solution in South Asian Countries at the Time of Coronavirus
What are the problems actually? The people actually lack technical knowledge. To be employed at the time of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the students must be good at several knowledge and skills. We need to have a global standard education system so that our students can do the job properly in the country and abroad.
Technology
We may not get so many expert teachers at a short period of time but we can utilise the eLearning system so that some expert teachers and researchers impart knowledge to students by recording and distributing videos online. These videos and materials can be spread all over the country and most students can get knowledge through the online learning system. The distance learning and e-learning method are very useful. The government can take advantage of the current situation to show videos on the TV channel and its official YouTube channel.
Mobile and Broadband Company
The government can give incentive to the mobile operators and internet companies so that they can sell their internet package at a reduced cost and students can buy the package at a reasonable price.
Impacts on Higher Education Abroad
Students living in a foreign country face more problems than domestic students. Due to the lockdown situation, domestic students went to their home. However foreign students who cannot go home are alone. Students without funding or scholarship are in financial trouble. Companies cannot produce goods & service and they cannot hire people. It is assumed that research funding will be reduced in the coming years.
How is the Online Class Situation in South Asia?
All educational institutions are closed down. Some teachers and some universities are taking a class using Google classroom, Google meet, zoom, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp group, Skype. E-learning in these developing countries has a mixed result.
Main advantage: It reduces the fear of session jam. Students will get the result in time. Students can understand the complex topics with visual presentation. If they don’t understand, they can reply to videos and watch again.
But the problems: Students participation and attendance are comparatively low. Slow internet, load shedding, the high price of internet package, poor internet connection, are the main drawbacks of online classes. Due to the lockdown, some students cannot go to the shop to buy an internet package.