Education trends: How pandemic has shaped the way we learn  

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Summary

• The COVID-19 period has seen innovative approaches in support of education and training continuity.
• The pandemic has created many challenges for the education sector, and students are worried about their study expenses and education loans.
• The governments have stepped in to provide financial relief.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to innovate and change the way we work and live. Many of us, as a result, have realised that now is the best time to become better versions of ourselves.

Since the onset of lockdowns, people started focusing on upgrading their skills to be better equipped for professional opportunities in the post-pandemic era.

Like many other industries, the education sector also experienced its largest disruption in history, owing to closure of schools and other learning spaces. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the education sector with a grand global experiment in remote learning.

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Let us explore how the crisis stimulated innovation within the education sector and how the students are managing education pressure amid the challenging times.

Education Sector Trends Amid the Pandemic Era 

The pandemic crisis sparked both challenges and opportunities for the education sector. Edtech boomed like anything as more and more students enrolled in online courses. Also, such platforms offered additional discounts and even free courses to help people learn their favourite professional courses.

Students studying online witnessed technology entering big time in the sector, fuelling further growth of online education. However, while the edtech sector enjoyed a flourishing period, there were enormous challenges for students looking to study at campuses. 

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Many students worldwide prepare to study abroad, especially in prominent study destinations like Australia, UK, Europe, Canada, and the US. However, due to the pandemic crisis, many such dreams had to be put on ice. Studying abroad became less feasible amid prolonged travel bans.

The challenges are not limited to travel restrictions, tough monetary conditions also add to students' woes. However, authorities have stepped in to support students. For instance, in the US, the administration of President Biden has allowed the pandemic relief under the CARES Act in March 2020 to be extended until 20 September 2021, giving more time to student borrowers to repay the money.  

In Australia, the HELP loan limits for 2020 were AUD 108,232 for most students and AUD 155,448 for students studying veterinary science courses, dentistry, and medicine.

To support students to continue learning during the challenging pandemic times, from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2021, undergraduate students who are FEE-HELP assisted will be exempted from loan fees. From 1 July 2021, FEE-HELP loan fees for higher education will be reduced to 20% from 25%. 

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In October last year, the Australian parliament passed the Job-ready Graduates Package as legislation. It implies that from 2021, there are changes affecting the student contributions.

Most of the students are worrying about debt or student loans, housing, application fees, books, and study materials. During the global health crisis, universities and the government collaborated to provide financial health packages for students.

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How to Pay for Studies During the Pandemic Time?

• If studying abroad does not seem feasible to you, explore online courses. These are cheaper, and multiple well-known universities are offering popular professional courses through edtech platforms. 
• Look for temporary jobs that are in demand during COVID-19, like jobs in delivery services and grocery stores.
• The gig economy is growing during the pandemic. It is indeed an excellent option to look for freelance jobs to make extra cash.

Keep calm and look for plan B. Explore things and understand what’s the best way for you to manage the burden of study. All the best!

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