1 of 3 students finds online classes trying: NCERT survey

NEWDELHI: More than one in every three students find online classes difficult or burdensome, with most students facing problems in understanding mathematical concepts, a survey by the NCERT has found.

Poor internet connectivity, disruption in electric supply and non-availability of devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, are among the major hindrances hampering online learning, as per the survey.

It also showed that mobile phones are the primary means through which students are accessing online classes.

The NCERT surveyed students and teachers of the education ministry-run Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools to understand the effectiveness of online learning measures.

According to the NCERT’S survey of KVS, comprising 9,000 responses, 6% of the students found online classes burdensome, while 24% found them difficult. The rest termed the classes satisfactory or joyful.

Among teachers and principals, 1% found the classes burdensome, over 10% difficult, while a majority found them satisfactory. Nearly 30% of over 6,000 parents surveyed felt the online mode burdensome or difficult, while the rest gave a positive response.

The major problems that came to fore were poor internet, difficulty in accessing content on phones, lack of knowledge in using devices for learning, untrained teachers and erratic power supply. Approximately 27% of the students mentioned the non-availability of smartphones and laptops.