The Impact of Digital Divide on the Educational outcomes of deprived Children in Low-Cost Private Sector Schools in Lahore, Pakistan; Post COVID-19 Era

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the existing inequalities in access to education, particularly for deprived children in Pakistan. Children drop-out rate from schools accelerated, learning level of students decreased and more than 10,000 low-cost private-sector schools were permanently closed in Pakistan due to pandemic emergency. These problems questioned the sustainability of schools in Pakistan and put the future of millions of students on stake. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of the digital divide on the educational outcomes and psycho-social challenges for children in the post-COVID-19 period. With the help of mixed-methods approach, the research examines how limited access to digital resources has affected academic performance and created psycho-social challenges for the children. Furthermore, this study identifies specific challenges faced in accessing online education, and explores potential strategies to mitigate these issues. The study focuses on middle school children (grade 6-8) studying in low-cost private sector schools in Lahore, Pakistan. Five low-cost private sector schools from different areas of Lahore have been used to gather the data. It has been observed that underprivileged children confront major challenges while acquiring education. Children and their families lack basic skills to use digital devices, moreover, their inadequate internet access and several socioeconomic problems create hindrances in their educational progress. Similarly, teachers from deprived backgrounds are also fighting the same challenges. Therefore, this study highlights the significance of strategic and sustainable interventions in the field of school education for the progress of children belonging to deprived areas. The study pens the need for providing affordable devices, free digital literacy programs with expansion of internet infrastructure which can bridge the digital divide and improve educational outcomes as well as psychological and socioeconomic conditions of children in Pakistan in the post COVID’19 era.