No

More than add-ons

Online teaching has proven to be a lifeline for many students who do not have access to good teachers or a robust curriculum. For instance, many engineering students in the Northeast have made the online courses and certification available via the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) the mainstay for their education. NPTEL helps students access recorded lectures of professors at the IITs and the IISC and earn certificates that can help them get internships and jobs.

Sanjib Rai,

Second Year, Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam

Future of education

The platforms of massive open online courses (Mooc) provide affordable and flexible ways to acquire quality educational experience, learn new skills and advance careers. Mooc providers like Coursera, Udacity and edX have helped students access lectures and training from top professors at Harvard, Stanford, MIT, etc. This avenue has helped many thrive despite the pandemic-induced lockdown. This is, in fact, the future of higher education.

Tamali Chakraborty,

Third year, Vidyasagar College, Suri

Only option now

Successive lockdowns and the threat of Covid-19’s third wave has left us with one option only: online classes. Physical classroom teaching amidst the pandemic endangers the lives of India’s future citizens. So, virtual online learning must be pursued.

Debarpita Mandi,

Class VII, D.A.V. Public School, Midnapore

Has global reach

The pandemic has shown that online education is possible. They are time savers too. In fact, there are teachers who take classes across the globe and impart quality education. So, online classes are not a mere add-on.

Harsh Nathani,

Class XII, Vidyanjali International School, Calcutta

Yes

Not suited for real life

Online education is like learning driving through video games, where the process can be learnt but cannot be used in real life. It can only enhance the learning experience.

Tamanna Hassan,

Class XII, Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Calcutta

Many disadvantages

Zoom, Google Meet and other such applications did create an impression initially, but the disadvantages greatly outweighed the advantages. Online classes have led to digital ennui, creating a general disinterest in students in the learning process. Development of social skills is hampered too. The online system can’t be a substitute.

Aadrit Banerjee,

Class XII, Apeejay School, Calcutta

Practical classes must

Subjects that don’t require practical classes are conducive. Online education has not matured enough to impart practical knowledge as in the natural and technical sciences. In post-Covid-19 times, online classes may supplement classroom education.

Samudraneel Sarkar,

Third year, Kalyani Mahavidyalaya, Kalyani