Pandemic COVID-19’s Impact on Education Sector in Goa

Abstract

Education is one of the most important social sectors of human resource development. This sector is the second one most hit by the Pandemic, the first one being the health sector. Education sector in the small state of Goa has been very badly hit by the onset of the pandemic since the second week of March 2020. The precautionary measures to protect the students from the spread of the disease was the first step initiated by the State Government and ordered closure of all educational institutions from the third week of March, 2020. Thereafter, various rounds of central government ordered Lock down and ever-increasing incidences of the positive cases in the State from the second week of June has forced the Students of all the levels except SSC or X Students to remain confined at home. The High School (SSC) students were allowed to appear the examinations in very highly controlled and closely monitored conditions. The teachers were assigned non-academic, quasi-academic or semi academic pandemic related surveys, monitoring of relief work during the countrywide lockdown period. The summer vacation coincided with the lock down period. After the reopening of the educational institutions in a phased manner, teachers have reported to institutions but devoid of students.

The study is based on the News Items and Government Reports appearing from time to time and the circulars and notifications issued by education regulatory authorities in Goa using simple exploratory and descriptive methods. Observation by the authors and feedback received from students’ community has also been used.

The formalities of teaching and learning are going on across the state at all levels of education in the state by innovative as well as state sponsored mandatory methods using various platforms of Learning Management System (LMS). Different methods of LMS are being experimented such as Google meet, Zoom meeting, Microsoft 365, etc. notwithstanding the limitation of affordability, accessibility and feasibility for the students. The outcome will be known only after the stake holder’s realization and experience in the long run. The worst affected students are the ones, who had terminal years such as high school (SSC), higher secondary school (HSSC), Graduating (Degree courses), Post Graduating and Research Degree (Ph. D.) aspiring candidates who are stranded at their career’s ‘traffic islands’ (cross road) or ‘Cloud of Earning’ (aspiration for jobs) for themselves and their dependents. The situation is far beyond human control now and the future looks uncertain for most of the stakeholders of education not only in the state but all over the world. Moreover, UGC and the Universities across the country are trying their best to save the essence of the Degrees to the pass outs during the pandemic. Time will test the acceptance of these measures in the long run and sustainability of educational development.