Context: Recently, the study titled “Myths of Online Education” was conducted by the Azim Premji University to examine the efficacy and accessibility of online education.
About the study

• The study was undertaken in five States across 26 districts and covered 1,522 schools. More than 80,000 students study in these government schools.
• It examined the experience of children and teachers with online education.

Key highlights of the study

• Inadequate access: More than 60% children who are enrolled in government schools could not access online education; reasons for this include non-availability of or an inadequate number of smartphones for dedicated use or sharing, and difficulty in using the apps for online learning.
• Access in Disabled Students: More than 90% of teachers working with children with disabilities found them unable to participate in online classes.
• Online education is ineffective: More than 80% teachers expressed the impossibility of maintaining emotional connect with children during online classes, thus eliminating the very basis of education.
• Parents support reopening of schools: Almost 90% of parents are willing to send their children to school if the health of their children is taken care of when schools reopen.