Boring online session

Since we are confined to homes in this time, we decided to start knowledge-sharing sessions by conducting online training for the different computers programs we use in our business. We tried several platforms like Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet, but none of them worked well due to the poor quality of our broadband connection. I found it frustrating to sit through choppy video and audio, even though I was really eager to learn the software. This made me wonder about the challenges students face with online classes.

The digital divide in Nepal is too big for online education to be truly effective. The government has suggested online teaching and learning, but most schools and students across the country don’t even have computers, let alone internet access. Education experts believe the idea of online classes is overhyped and unrealistic. They argue that providing online courses isn’t feasible, even at the university level, let alone for schools.

There are over 7.5 million students in Nepal from school to university level. According to a recent report by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, around 72 percent of people in the country have internet access, but the majority of them rely on mobile data, which isn't suitable for heavy online learning. Only about 12 percent of people have a proper broadband connection, which highlights the severe limitations of online education in Nepal.

In this context, while online education seems like a good idea, the lack of infrastructure and access to reliable internet makes it difficult for the majority of students to participate effectively. For online classes to succeed, there needs to be a major investment in digital infrastructure across the country.

Data taken from news articles