Exploring Digital Education: Experiential Insights of ESL Teachers in Rural Malaysian Schools

The rapid advancement of technology has revolutionized the education sector, presenting new opportunities for teaching and learning. However, rural schools face significant hurdles in embracing digital education. These challenges include inadequate infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, limited access to digital tools, and a lack of professional development for educators. Such barriers exacerbate the digital divide, leaving rural students at a disadvantage compared to their urban counterparts. This issue is particularly evident in rural Malaysia, where schools in underdeveloped areas, such as a district in Sabah, Malaysia, struggle to implement digital learning effectively. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring equitable access to quality education and closing the gap between urban and rural communities. This qualitative research delves into the implementation of digital education in rural Malaysia. By examining the experiences of educators through a phenomenological lens, the study provides insights into teachers’ subjective viewpoints and perceptions regarding digital pedagogy. Key findings reveal instructional methodologies, barriers to adoption, network connectivity issues, implementation successes and challenges, and strategies to overcome these obstacles. Highlighting the importance of addressing infrastructure deficiencies and offering professional development opportunities, this study contributes valuable insights for policymakers and educators striving to bridge the digital divide and promote equal educational opportunities in rural Malaysia.