In a report from the Bookings Institution, only 25 percent of low-income countries have been able to continue education remotely with access to technology, compared to 90 percent in higher-income countries. At Blink Now, our STF partner in Nepal, girls have access to technology tools, and even then the internet connection can be unstable or inconsistent. Without regular, sustained technology available, that means limited access to safe spaces, regular mentorship, and continued education.
Hear from four girls in Nepal—Jharana, Roshni, Sarita, and Aliza—on how COVID-19 and access to technology has affected their education over the last few months, and what remote connection can make possible in their communities.
How has your education been impacted since lockdowns began?
Aliza, 17, at Blink Now in Nepal
Aliza, 17: There is no normal teaching method right now. I am taking my classes online, with 12 classes every week. It’s not as effective but it is helpful in keeping up with the studies in our current scenario. I am glad that my learning has not stopped due to COVID-19 and lockdown. Whenever I am having trouble in my study, I reach out to my teachers through [the app] Viber. They respond to my queries when possible, and I contact my friends to help me.
But even though it is helpful, I am having trouble attending my classes regularly mainly because my internet connection is below average and there are frequent power cuts in my locality. There were a lot of meetings and conferences online that I was interested to attend but I can’t due to my internet issues. In general, this shift has been a major problem for many students and kids out there who don’t have access to technology. In rural areas of my country, there is no electricity let alone the internet connection. So, those people will be lagging behind and will have a lot of catching up to do. Besides, all people are not privileged enough to have access to the devices for the classes.
Sarita, 19: Considering the crisis, yes, I think the current distance learning program has been helpful to me because knowing the effect of COVID-19, we have maintained distance. We have to follow rules to be safe and healthy. If we all followed the rules we can be safe. Education is important for all of us so knowing this situation, we have followed this distance learning program. But yes, I also think the shift from classroom teaching to distance learning methods has hindered learning and skill development because with in-person classes, there is more learning and less noise. We can ask the teacher any question related to the topic without any hesitation. But now we cannot give our views and ask questions if we don’t understand anything. It is very hard to have full discussion on topics. We can’t have our normal “practical application” classes as everything is online, so there are many challenges.
How has technology been of use throughout lockdowns?
Jharana, 16, speaking at a Blink Now event
Jharana, 16: I learned about COVID-19 and its impacts through news broadcast in television, radio and internet. We are trying to make the most of the available technologies during this crisis, communicating with our loved ones who are far from us and continuing our online learning with it. Similarly, we are keeping ourselves updated with the help of it. But sometimes power goes off and the internet connection becomes unstable, which creates problems to access information regarding COVID-19. Information related to COVID-19 received through social media and news has been helpful to a great extent.
Roshni, 19: I got to learn about COVID-19 from TV, social sites like Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and through the communication of my family members and friends. I used my available technologies to see some questions and answers from my class’s course. Sometimes I also watched motivational speeches, which helps me stay optimistic and most of all it motivates me. I learned to cook some food like cake and pizza through the help of technology. I am also able to attend various meetings and sessions, connecting with people throughout the world, especially my teachers. So in this crisis, various technologies have helped me a lot.
She’s the First’s COVID-19 Response Fund provides health and hygiene kits, food and water supply, and access to technology where needed, including via tablets, radios, and data. Learn more and support our pandemic relief efforts here.