Challenges of Emergency eLearning in Rural Bhutan: A Case of Kengkhar Middle Secondary School during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, countries were locked down and the borders were sealed. Like in other countries, the education institutes in Bhutan were closed and the mode of learning shifted to online. There were some challenges with online teaching and learning (eLearning). This is a case study of Kengkhar Middle Secondary School. It attempts to examine various challenges of eLearning faced by the tutors, learners, and parents and guardians of schoolchildren. This study used primary data, which were collected from teachers, learners, and randomly selected parents using three tools (Student Survey, Online assignment, and Interview). It was found that about 90 percent of the students did not have personal smartphones and 80 percent of the students used the smartphones of their parents and guardians. Moreover, 87 percent of the respondents received support from their parents and guardians during emergency eLearning. However, there were several challenges involved with eLearning. Some of the major challenges included poor attendance of the students, limited digital skills, unfamiliarity with Google Classroom, and financial burden for parents. Similarly, teachers experienced challenges such as a poor response from students, low turnout rate, language barrier, and lack of proper planning and direction.