IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/palcom/v10y2023i1d10.1057_s41599-023-02025-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Uncovering Covid-19, distance learning, and educational inequality in rural areas of Pakistan and China: a situational analysis method

Author

Listed:
  • Samina Zamir

    (Henan University)

  • Zhencun Wang

    (Henan University)

Abstract

Challenges to education in rural areas have been reported for a long time, and the respective governments are continuously making efforts to address them. However, the eruption of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the total closure of schools and a surge in internet and distance learning. Hence, there is a need to assess the situation periodically to gauge the effectiveness of government efforts in tackling these challenges and understand the impact of the virus outbreak on the education landscape. This study focuses on rural areas of Pakistan and China, utilizing the Situational Analysis Method (SAM). The study findings revealed several key points. Firstly, in both rural Pakistan and China, Covid-19 led to an increase in the number and scope of distance learning activities. However, there is a need for better experiences to effectively manage distance learning for students, parents, and teachers. Moreover, specific issues peculiar to rural China include shortages of relevant facilities such as computers, smartphones, and poor connectivity. In contrast, rural Pakistan faces challenges of unpreparedness and higher teacher workloads. Secondly, since internet connectivity is an essential component for distance learning, rural Pakistan shows higher internet penetration compared to rural areas in China. Nevertheless, internet connection speed in China remains higher and consistent, whether in urban or rural regions. However, both countries struggle with poor internet connection in rural areas due to the lack of enough potential customers. Thirdly, rural education in both countries is plagued by poverty, inadequate funding, and many students having to endure long and hazardous journeys to school. Specific issues in rural China include poor parental care due to migration and a shortage of teachers, while rural Pakistan grapples with limited educational opportunities for children and women, insufficient educational training for teachers, issues of social norms, and attacks on schools by extremist groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Samina Zamir & Zhencun Wang, 2023. "Uncovering Covid-19, distance learning, and educational inequality in rural areas of Pakistan and China: a situational analysis method," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:10:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-023-02025-x
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-023-02025-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-023-02025-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41599-023-02025-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Arfan Shahzad & Rohail Hassan & Adejare Yusuff Aremu & Arsalan Hussain & Rab Nawaz Lodhi, 2021. "Effects of COVID-19 in E-learning on higher education institution students: the group comparison between male and female," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 805-826, June.
    2. Hilmi Mizani & Ani Cahyadi & Hendryadi Hendryadi & Salamah Salamah & Santi Retno Sari, 2022. "Loneliness, student engagement, and academic achievement during emergency remote teaching during COVID-19: the role of the God locus of control," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Prashant Loyalka & Sean Sylvia & Chengfang Liu & James Chu & Yaojiang Shi, 2019. "Pay by Design: Teacher Performance Pay Design and the Distribution of Student Achievement," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 37(3), pages 621-662.
    4. Ai Yue & Bin Tang & Yaojiang Shi & Jingjing Tang & Guanminjia Shang & Alexis Medina & Scott Rozelle, 2018. "Rural education across China’s 40 years of reform: past successes and future challenges," China Agricultural Economic Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 10(1), pages 93-118, February.
    5. Yu Bai & Michael Neubauer & Tong Ru & Yaojiang Shi & Kaleigh Kenny & Scott Rozelle, 2020. "Impact of Second-Parent Migration on Student Academic Performance in Northwest China and its Implications," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(8), pages 1523-1540, July.
    6. Korkmaz, Özge & Erer, Elif & Erer, Deniz, 2022. "Internet access and its role on educational inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(5).
    7. Ai Yue & Bin Tang & Yaojiang Shi & Jingjing Tang & Guanminjia Shang & Alexis Medina & Scott Rozelle, 2018. "Rural education across China’s 40 years of reform: past successes and future challenges," China Agricultural Economic Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 10(1), pages 93-118, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zehua Wang & Fachao Liang & Sheng-Hau Lin, 2023. "Can socially sustainable development be achieved through homestead withdrawal? A hybrid multiple-attributes decision analysis," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Li, Xueying & Zhang, Lei, 2023. "Educational opportunity and children's migration: Evidence from China's Gaokao reform for children of migrant families," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 1162-1185.
    3. Saliha Anwar & Tayyaba Rafique, 2022. "Development Of Service Quality Scale In Online Higher Education," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 11(1), pages 53-62, March.
    4. Daniel O. Gilligan & Naureen Karachiwalla & Ibrahim Kasirye & Adrienne M. Lucas & Derek Neal, 2022. "Educator Incentives and Educational Triage in Rural Primary Schools," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(1), pages 79-111.
    5. Ahmad Abu-Al-Aish, 2021. "Using E-learning System in Jordanian Universities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Benefits and Challenges," Computer and Information Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(3), pages 1-49, August.
    6. Ra’ed Masa’deh & Dmaithan A. AlMajali & Abdullah A. M. AlSokkar & Mohammad Alshinwan & Maha Shehadeh, 2023. "Antecedents of Intention to Use E-Auction: An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, March.
    7. Mwananziche, Josephat & Myovella, Godwin & Karacuka, Mehmet & Haucap, Justus & Moshi, Goodiel, 2023. "Is digitalization a booster for economic growth in Africa? Short run and long run evidence from Tanzania," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(10).
    8. Mohamed Zine & Fouzi Harrou & Mohammed Terbeche & Mohammed Bellahcene & Abdelkader Dairi & Ying Sun, 2023. "E-Learning Readiness Assessment Using Machine Learning Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-22, June.
    9. Qihui Chen & Chunchen Pei & Qiran Zhao, 2018. "Eating More but Not Better at School? Impacts of Boarding on Students’ Dietary Structure and Nutritional Status in Rural Northwestern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-18, August.
    10. Huan Wang & Sarah‐Eve Dill & Huan Zhou & Yue Ma & Hao Xue & Sean Sylvia & Kumi Smith & Matthew Boswell & Alexis Medina & Prashant Loyalka & Cody Abby & Dimitris Friesen & Nathan Rose & Yian Guo & Scot, 2021. "Health, economic, and social implications of COVID‐19 for China's rural population," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 52(3), pages 495-504, May.
    11. Barrera-Osorio, Felipe & Cilliers, Jacobus & Cloutier, Marie-Hélène & Filmer, Deon, 2022. "Heterogenous teacher effects of two incentive schemes: Evidence from a low-income country," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    12. Chengfang Liu & Ye Li & Shaoping Li & Renfu Luo & Linxiu Zhang & Scott Rozelle & Spencer Hagist & Jack Hou, 2020. "The returns to education in rural China: Some new estimates," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 64(1), pages 189-208, January.
    13. Luiz Maurício Furtado Maués & Felipe de Sá Moreira & Luciana de Nazaré Pinheiro Cordeiro & Raísse Layane de Paula Saraiva & Paulo Cerqueira dos Santos Junior & Olga Maria Pinheiro Pinheiro, 2022. "Impact on Education and Ecological Footprint as a Consequence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Perception of the Quality of Teaching Engineering Students in the Brazilian Amazon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.
    14. Shu-Ning Zhang & Guang-Xiu Jiang & Wen-Qi Ruan & Yong-Quan Li, 2023. "Technology External Cause or Individual Internal Cause? Multiple Ways to Improve the Online Learning Effectiveness of Tourism and Hospitality Management Students," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, August.
    15. Yu-Yu Ma & Jwu-Jenq Chen & Chia-Liang Lin, 2022. "Research on the Priority of Service Quality Index for Online English Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Dual Perspective," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(19), pages 1-24, October.
    16. Clare Leaver & Owen Ozier & Pieter Serneels & Andrew Zeitlin, 2021. "Recruitment, Effort, and Retention Effects of Performance Contracts for Civil Servants: Experimental Evidence from Rwandan Primary Schools," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(7), pages 2213-2246, July.
    17. Zhang, Jie & Chen, Zhiguo & Altuntaş, Mehmet, 2022. "Tracing volatility in natural resources, green finance and investment in energy resources: Fresh evidence from China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    18. Yang, Wanni & Wang, Ge & Li, Shaoping & Guo, Yuhe & Tang, Yalin & Li, Mingyuan & Liu, Chengfang & Chen, Chevin, 2021. "Development Challenges and Preschool Education in China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315365, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    19. Berlinski, Samuel & Ramos, Alejandra, 2020. "Teacher mobility and merit pay: Evidence from a voluntary public award program," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    20. Jian Zhang & Songqing Jin & Wei Si, 2020. "Incentivising teachers? Evaluating the incentive effect of China’s teacher performance‐based compensation reform in rural China," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 64(1), pages 171-188, January.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:10:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-023-02025-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.nature.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.