Declining quality of post-secondary education after transitioning to online learning models

BY TVISHA MISTRY

This year has been unpredictable, and COVID-19 has made life-altering changes for everyone, modifying all our routines. It has affected the economy, companies, employees, parents, and the education system, especially students.

The current conditions have made it clear that most students and faculty members will not be returning to campus any time soon. The pandemic has caused a shift in education models, transitioning teachers, and students towards a remote learning approach. While it is the ideal approach during such times, there have been several consequential impacts on both the students and faculty members due to the modifications.

There has been a significant decline in the quality of education since the transition of the remote learning model occurred. According to a poll commissioned by OCUFA and conducted by Navigator Inc, between 2,700 Ontarian students, it has been revealed that 62% of students have experienced a negative impact on their education quality after adjustments were made to transition universities online. 76% of the faculty members and academic librarians have supported and resonated with this statement.

“These results demonstrate that meaningful engagement between students and faculty is fundamental to the learning process,” said Rahul Sapra, President of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations. “As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the scramble to move courses online, we have lost that human connection and educational quality has suffered.”

Additionally, there has been a notable increase in mental health issues in students and faculty members due to isolation, stress, and a lack of institutional support. The majority of students are concerned about their financial security as they are having a hard time balancing their work and study life in order to support themselves and others financially after the adjustment in university learning models.

When students were asked about the impact of the pandemic, the majority said they are concerned about their education quality and academic performance alongside their financial security. As a result of high tuition fees and the declining opportunities to earn an income, students have felt stressed and pressured causing an impact on their mental health as well as their overall performance.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic students have raised concerns about the quality and affordability of their education,” said Kayla Weiler, Ontario Representative of the Canadian Federation of Students. “These results further indicate that universities and the Ontario government must take action to improve learning and working conditions.”

Without immediate action from universities and the Ontario government to resolve these concerns, it is likely that education will degrade even further. Ontario universities can take steps to resolve these concerns. Lowering tuition fees will help students struggling financially, now and after the pandemic. Additionally, reducing class sizes and hiring additional faculty members will ensure students receive a better educational experience. Finally, investing in better resources for students and faculty will improve educational outcomes.

Without additional support from the provincial government, Ontario’s universities will struggle to make such comprehensive changes. The Ford government has displayed a pattern of behavior by consistently ignoring the efforts and importance of Ontario’s education system by making substantial cuts to postsecondary education funding, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Throughout the pandemic, the Ford government has stood on the sidelines and watched as university students, faculty, and academic librarians struggle,” said Sapra. “Even in the middle of the pandemic, the top concerns for students and faculty are fees and funding. It is time for the provincial government to step up, set an example, and invest in Ontario’s underfunded universities so that they can improve the educational experience and help students and faculty succeed.”

It is not too late to reform and prioritize the education of generations to come. Reversing cuts to education by investing in smaller classes, good jobs, and lower tuition fees will help Ontario universities during the pandemic and will eventually allow for a smooth transition to the in-person educational experience.