Academic Challenges faced by Students in Higher Education during COVID-19 Pandemic
- August 12, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Education, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Academic Challenges faced by Students in Higher Education during COVID-19 Pandemic
Afam Uzorka, Yakubu Ajiji Makeri
Kampala International University, Uganda
Abstract: This research examines academic challenges faced by students in Higher Education during COVID-19 pandemic. The population of the study consisted of undergraduates, postgraduates and lecturers in selected universities in Uganda. The researchers adopted qualitative approach which involved the use of questionnaire and interview. 120 students and 10 lecturers participated in the study. Questionnaires using a 5 point Likert-scale were administered to all 120 respondents while interviews were conducted with 5 undergraduates, 5 postgraduates and 10 lecturers. Data analyses indicated seven main academic challenges faced by students in higher education during COVID-19 pandemic namely: lack of e-learning facilities, financial constrain, Conducive environment, teachers attitude, learning new skills, lack of interest and stress and anxiety. Based on the findings, there is need for adjustment requiring all tiers of education to respond to a new and evolving strategy in order to have a continuous flow in education process, making education accessible, affordable, anytime and anywhere, mitigating and restraining the effects of any gaps created by any form of disruption in education system.
Key Words: COVID-19, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Outbreak, lockdown, Higher Education, E-learning, Academic Challenges, Students.
I. INTRODUCTION
WHO declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), to be a pandemic on March 12, 2020 (Prof Russell M Viner, PhD. et al. 2020). In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries issued national lockdown and school closure. 107 countries had implemented national school closures by March 18, 2020 (Prof Russell M Viner, PhD. et al. 2020). National lockdown and closures of schools are one of the control measures to contain COVID-19 Infection. COVID-19 pandemic completely disrupts the lives of many children, their parents, and teachers. A lot can be done to at least reduce the impact through remote learning strategies. E-learning can help in the achievement of intended objectives in the teaching and learning environment and higher educations are ready to move teaching and learning online to preserve and continue its educational mission during the current pandemic (D. Christopher Brooks and Susan Grajek 2020).
