Local school boards are caught in the middle of controversy between the government and parents, whether to reopen schools or pursue e- learning in the wake of COVID-19 infection.

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet,” Aristotle said.

E-learning is hailed as a milestone step in providing solutions to challenges facing Nepal's education system. The success of e-learning depends on availability of electricity to run advanced technology equipment, and internet connectivity to transmit video, and data content online through virtual platforms as Zoom, Google, and Meet.

The overall objective is to set up and run e-learning programs to bridge the digital divide across the three main regions, The Himalayan, The Middle region and The Plain land in Nepal. These regions have diverse geographical features, which present unique challenges to e-learning.

E-learning in Nepal is still in its initial stages. In addition, the country is grappling with the impact of COVID-19. This pandemic has stretched government resources to the limit.

The government of Nepal is spearheading a dynamic approach to fast track e-learning initiative with preliminary $19 billion funding investment from private and public companies such as BYJU’s, with $350 billion expected to support the country’s 2025 online education vision program.

Despite the hurdles, e-learning holds the key to the success of education in Nepal with enormous advantages for future prospective benefits. Taking steps to pave the way for smooth transition from traditional chalk and duster to e-learning is non-negotiable. Most institutions of learning in Nepal depend on government intervention to continue providing quality education at all levels of learning.

The government of Nepal is spearheading a dynamic approach to fast track e-learning initiative with preliminary $19 billion funding investment from private and public companies such as BYJU’s, with $350 billion expected to support the country’s 2025 online education vision program.

Bridging the digital divide in Nepal faces a number of challenges to move from initial to implementation phase. Three issues top the priority list of challenges. These issues include, but not limited to the widening digital divide gap, lack of infrastructure, and prohibitive cost of internet equipment and service delivery.

These are real issues confronting real people in real places in Nepal. All of them need to be addressed as a matter of urgency to achieve e-learning goals. This calls for capacity building to identify students and teachers with stable internet connectivity, electronic devices such as laptop, Smartphone, PC’s, in addition to connecting all regions to the national grid.

There are only 17% internet users in Nepal with access to broadband. Students, who are majority internet service consumers, rely on mobile data, which is more expensive compared to broadband internet connectivity, as at now. Making e-learning the mainstay of education in Nepal is difficult, but not impossible, provided the government is committed to support local and foreign innovative initiatives to make e-learning a reality through infrastructure development.

Nepal could borrow a leaf from neighboring China and India. These two nations have made remarkable progress to put measures to enable the implementation of e-learning in place through policy and legislation and established infrastructure necessary to carry out e-learning programs without hitches.

The advantages of e-learning cannot be overemphasized. Here are top ten scopes benefits that have stood the test of time.

Increased number of students attaining higher levels of education.

A 2014 survey report carried out in 2011 projected e-learning market value from regular and new students accessing online courses at $35.6 billion with 7.6% annual increase. This rate raised e-learning market value to 55.5 in two years.

Timing and delivery of pre-recorded video, data content.

Students in different locations are reached with similar content from the central instructor’s location simultaneously, through e-learning.

Student interactions.

Student to student interactions via video conferring is the improved version of face-to-face Focused Group Discussions (FGD’s, in classroom setting. The new e-learning channel of communication connects several students to the instructor for discussion, during questions and answers time.

Tailor-made instructions.

E-learning is a unique tailor made blend between the teacher and the students who are unable to meet the cost of face-to-face classroom learning environment. This mode of education is a one-on-one communication pattern as opposed to large numbers of students attending classes in traditional brick and mortar establishments.

Advantage of self-learning.

E-learning promotes self-learning for students in small towns and remote rural areas, offering quality education without fear or favor. It is no longer classroom time. Students can learn from home, at the park, or travelling, provided he/she is connected to the internet to download self-learning materials.

Research program for post-graduate students.

Graduate and post-graduate students are able to carry out research study in remote locations without hindrance. These students liaise with the instructor online from time to time during the research project cycle while gathering information for analysis on location.

Latest learning materials.

There is no time limit or restrictions on online students to read books on soft-copy, listen to audio recording of e-learning materials from e-books, watch video presentations on tablet, laptop, or Smartphone wherever he/she is, and enjoy every minute of this exercise.

Place and power of VSAT.

VSAT stands for “very small aperture terminal, systems.” This satellite connectivity device is an ideal tool for bridging the digital divide. It is fast, effective and efficient in moving huge chunks of video and data content across the globe.

In these days of do-it-yourself, a student has a head start to maximize the use of Laptops, Smartphone. Apps are the go to guides, in addition to instruction manuals; the equipment is up and running in no time. No stoppage time. A student regulates his/her e-leaning time.

Multi-facet e-learning potential.

Advancement in technology allows students to perform multi-tasks in e-learning. A student can send and receive assignments, download video clips, e-books and presentation course material at once.

Competitive cost effective charges.

Mass production of electronic equipment, laptops, PC’s, tables and Smartphones has led to reduced market price range, making it easy for students to acquire and use affordable gadgets for e-learning. The supply has outstripped the demon, resulting into competitive cost effective prices and charges.

The future of e-learning in Nepal is bright.

Gaurav Upreti, [email protected]