A tale of environmental neglect, online education failures

LAHORE:The Punjab government’s recent decision to close schools and colleges in selected districts due to deteriorating air quality highlights a troubling dual crisis.

Almost every year, as smog levels peak, authorities order shutting down educational institutions in order to manage the health impacts of poor air quality. However, this recurring response exposes a double failure on part of the government: the lack of sustained environmental protections to prevent these emergencies, and the absence of robust online education systems to support uninterrupted learning.

Despite repeated closures, Punjab, which often leads other provinces in technology adoption, remains unprepared for a smooth transition to online learning in public schools. Similarly, even high-end private schools with hefty tuition fees rely largely on WhatsApp, Zoom, and other basic video tools, leaving students with makeshift solutions. This reveals a lack of investment in robust online education platforms from both the government and private sectors.

This reliance on temporary solutions without concrete plans for either environmental protection or digital education infrastructure on part of the government reflects a broader pattern of stopgap measures in the face of urgent and predictable issues.

It has generally been observed that the adoption of online learning by local institutions, especially during unexpected closures, has generally been limited and lacks the full range of tools and platforms that can make online learning effective.

Unlike comprehensive Learning Management Systems (LMS) that organise courses, assessments, and track progress, our education institutions, even colleges and universities, resort to basic communication tools like WhatsApp, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams when students are moved from physical to virtual classes. While these platforms allow for some degree of connectivity, they don’t provide the structure or interactive resources that a true online learning environment would offer.

Experts argue that with the growing use of the internet and the widespread availability of smartphones, there is a need for LMS that students can use without parents worrying about privacy.

Online tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams can raise concerns about data breaches, unauthorised data collection, and the misuse of personal information. To address these issues, experts recommend cybersecurity training for students, teachers, and parents. However, the success of these efforts largely depends on strong government support and political will to embrace technology in education.

Apart from a few tech-driven public initiatives, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) currently appears primarily focused on improving the websites of government departments—a task that could easily be handled by interns. Experts suggest that PITB should rethink and strengthen its eLearn initiative, which it developed for the School Education Department (SED) Punjab, transforming it into a more robust Learning Management System with the government making its use mandatory by public schools during unexpected school closures in Punjab to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted learning experience for students.

Similarly, high-end private schools, which generate substantial revenue from high tuition fees, should also invest in developing safe and secure LMS for their students. By doing so, they can provide a more effective and reliable learning experience, ensuring students’ privacy and academic continuity, especially during emergencies or disruptions.