Education in the post-pandemic world cannot be the same again

Context: Pandemic induced lockdowns and its impact on the global Education sector. 

Impact of the COVID-19 over the education sector

• Study-at-home culture: As schools and colleges across the world have shut down their physical classes, they have all resorted to online instruction. 

• E.g. The University of Cambridge has declared that most of its classes will be online until early next year. 

• More centralization: 
•  There will be a flight to quality and concentration of power among a small number of brands. The Harvard’s, Stanford’s, and Oxfords will become larger and even more powerful. 

Probable change in the future education system:  

• From the event-driven model to hybrid model: where you pay a premium for the “campus experience", but can choose to be educated online for less money.

• Lifelong education: The COVID effect on jobs will lead to this model where individuals will keep themselves up-to-date and continually skilled. 
• 50-year subscription, under which pay Harvard, an annual fee to learn something new every year.

• Online-offline mode: emergency of better technology that gives a feeling of being on campus or in a classroom, thereby blurring offline and online experience. 
  • E.g. – Virbela use some virtual reality technology to create fantastic experiences. 
• Big opportunity: corporate houses, technology firms, and educational institutions will see education as the next big opportunity.
• Create divide: Poor students with less access to devices, connectivity, and private space will suffer greatly.

Conclusion: Though COVID has slowed down the world but accelerated change especially in the education sector.