More than 80 per cent of students at bachelor level faced problems in participating in online classes during the Covid-19 pandemic, a latest study finds.
The survey, done by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), says access to internet or poor connectivity was the most challenging part, as reported by 54-per cent students.
The state-run research agency conducted the study on National University (NU) students during the February-June period this year.
The survey headed 'Tracer Study on Graduates of Tertiary-level Colleges' targeted to trace graduates from a sample of the NU-affiliated institutions.
It also aims to assess the labour-market outcome and relevance of tertiary college-level education.
The cost of internet usage came up as another difficulty, as reported by nearly 18.7 per cent of the total respondents.
Unavailability of devices, lack of fit ambience of study, disruption due to high involvement with family chores/matters, inadequate office hours with teachers, and less participatory classes are other difficulties faced by students in attending online classes.
Students from non-government colleges seem to be more devoted in terms of longer duration when it comes to class attendance than those from government colleges, according to the study.
Dr Minhaj Mahmud, who led the six-member research team, said the policy focus towards facilitating digital education using technology to connect teaching and learning would be crucial in the post-pandemic period.
Universities and tertiary-level colleges need to embrace digital solutions in education and learning, the senior research fellow told the FE.
The use of open educational resources becomes increasingly important in facilitating education worldwide, which embrace global transformation using online platforms, he pointed out.
On January 19, a Campaign for Popular Education survey also showed 69.5 per cent of Covid-hit primary and secondary students did not attend distance learning through TV, radio and internet.
About 57.9-per cent students were unable to join distance learning for lack of computers and other necessary apparatus. The rate stood at 68.9 per cent in rural areas, it added.
BioTED, a platform that promotes skills and ideas for research and innovation, in a short survey in 2020 revealed that 44.7-per cent university students were unable to join virtual classes for lack of logistics.
To continue online education, some 55 per cent of such students lacked support to avail proper internet connections at that time, it added.
On November 18, education minister Dipu Moni during a virtual meeting with UN representatives said nearly 10 per cent of students could not attend online education amid the pandemic situation.
Addressing a webinar on May 29 last year, she claimed Bangladesh gained huge advancement in digitalisation.
The minister, however, insisted that public universities were still unable to digitalise fully.
"Our country faced some challenges in introducing online education during the pandemic, but it has to overcome those hurdles."
According to the BIDS study, participation in online classes increased the total cost of internet usage.
Seventy per cent respondents said they needed to pay additional expenses for using internet to attend online classes compared to the pre-pandemic or no-online-teaching situation.
Around 78 per cent aspired to continue studies with the usual course load while around 20 per cent were found to be uncertain about it, the agency finds.
The survey comprises students who graduated (degree/honours/master's) in 2017 and students (degree/honours/master's) currently at third and fourth year level.
Dr Minhaj also said educational institutions need to collaborate with the private sector and digital industries to enhance student experience and learning.
Like major private universities, colleges under the NU should embrace digital transformation to offer competitive education in developing skilled manpower needed for the country, he added.
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