A Regional Sweep of the Effects of Covid-19 on Students in Gujranwala: The Adverse Effects of Online Education System
Keywords:
COVID-19, Education Distance, Measurement, Pakistan, StudentsAbstract
Background: COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional education worldwide, necessitating a sudden transition to online learning. In Pakistan, particularly in Gujranwala, this shift posed challenges due to limited digital infrastructure, lack of training, and reduced student motivation.
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of online education system during the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic performance, adaptability, and satisfaction levels of students in Gujranwala.
Methods: A quantitative descriptive design was employed. A stratified random sample of 102 students from intermediate to postgraduate levels, who had experienced both traditional and online education between 2020 and 2021, was surveyed using a 16-item structured Google Forms questionnaire. Secondary data were obtained from BISE Gujranwala to compare academic performance before and after the pandemic. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 30.
Results: Findings revealed mixed reactions to online education. While 33.3% found it moderately feasible, only 23.5% expressed satisfaction. A majority (55.9%) found it easy to resume pre-pandemic learning, indicating resilience. However, academic data showed a drop in pass percentages post-pandemic: HSSC-1 results declined from 45.79% (2018) to 38.48% (2022), and HSSC-2 from 58.25% (2019) to 56.11% (2023), indicating diminished academic outcomes.
Conclusion: Online education during the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected student performance and satisfaction in Gujranwala. However, it also underscored the potential of hybrid models, prompting the need for blended learning strategies, improved digital infrastructure, and teacher training for future resilience.
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