Online education ineffective, say Ghor residents

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Residents of western Ghor by power shortages, limited access to the Internet and financial problems.

Following the outbreak of Covid-19, the government closed all education institutes in the country. Later on, the Ministry of Education announced offering classes for students via TV, radio and the Internet.

Mohammad Ameen Wakil, a resident of Dara-i-Qazi area, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “After the coronavirus outbreak in the country led to the closure of schools, I have been teaching my children so that they complete their curriculum.”

About online learning, he said the most effective way for children was to study at home under parental supervision because many families in the province did not have access to electricity and online education programmes.

Meanwhile, Mohammadullah, another resident of Ferozkoh, concurred: “Online or distance learning is not effective for schoolchildren. At the moment, the Internet facility in the province is not up to the mark.”

Other residents, holding similar views about online teaching, called on the authorities concerned to take immediate corrective measures.

Education Director Ahmad Sabir Noor said: “Parental attention and efforts have a positive impact on the education of students. We have reports that most of parents are working to educate their children at home or at mosques.”

Noori acknowledged inadequate access to the Internet in the province, saying classes had begun in some districts -- a process that would continue.

Earlier, the United Nationals Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed concern over the deprivation of millions of children of education in Afghanistan and South Asia.

sa/mud