PERCEPTION OF TEACHERS AND PARENTS REGARDING IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING OF STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: During March 2020, the coronavirus escalated into a global pandemic resulting
in schools and colleges all over the world to make the difficult decision to shut their doors,
forcing an abrupt and universal shift of conventional learning to distance learning. Student
well-being had become a wide growing concern for educational institutions as they
acknowledged the importance of a balance among psychological, social, emotional, and
physical spheres of lives.
Aim: To assess the perception of teachers and parents regarding impact of COVID- 19 on
education and psychological well being of students.
Methods: Qualitative research approach was used to conduct the study. The perception of
teachers and parents regarding impact of COVID-19 on education and psychological well
being of the students was assessed. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the
sample. Semi structured interview schedule was used. 15 teachers were interviewed. Each
interview session lasted for around 45-60 minutes. Focused group discussions were conducted
for 21 parents participating in the study. 3 groups were formed and each discussion session
lasted for 40-50 minutes. The information collected was recorded in the written format.
Content analysis was done to interpret the results.
Results: Most of the teachers (73.3%) were females with 33.3% in the age group of 41-50
years, followed by 26.7% in the age group of 21-30 years and more than 50 years. All the
teachers reported post graduation as the highest level of education. The areas identified in
which most of the teachers expressed their concerns regarding online teaching included a)
problem in implementing teaching plan, b) time limits, c). Communication and feedback from
students and parents, d). Difficulty in assessment of student’s performance, e). Uncertainty
regarding the schedule of classes. The major factors contributing to impact of covid-19 on well
being of students as reported by most of the teachers were identified as isolation, change in
lifestyle, decreased motivation to learn among the students and lack of interest in online
classes. Majority of parents included mothers (71.4%) who were in the age group 31-40 years.
42.8% of the parents were illiterate or received non-formal education. Majority (42.8%) of
them were laborers, 52.3% had 1 child in the family. Regarding perception of parents about
impact of COVID on education of children, most of the parents expressed their satisfaction
regarding efforts taken by the school and teachers for online learning. However, the problems
faced by them included the financial burden of buying separate phones for children, lack of
involvement caused by educational and technological limitations and lack of suitable
environment at home that supports child’s learning. Conclusion: Teachers and parents have significant contact with the children and have an
integral role in education and development of children. The findings of the study presented the
concerns raised by teachers and parents regarding online learning.