By Zhao Chen, Cao Yan, Zhang Xiaoshan & Zhao Hang, Research Team on “Online Teaching for Children in Rural Areas”, China Development Research Foundation

Research Report, No. 74, 2020 (Total 5818) 2020-4-7

Abstract: Due to COVID-19 outbreak, primary and secondary school students have to stay at home and follow online teaching courses. In order to know about the studying results of students in underdeveloped areas, the research team sent by China Development Research Foundation conducted a questionnaire survey among primary and secondary school students and teachers in 21 counties out of 8 provinces, municipalities and regions in central and western China. According to the survey findings, due to the lack of IT infrastructure facilities and improper family support, home-based online teaching might widen the education gap between urban and rural areas and cause the increasing anxiety of rural students. Online teaching has posed new challenges for teachers in terms of teaching form, adaptability and workload. To solve these problems, the research team puts forward the following policy options on online teaching during the epidemic and beyond. Online teaching for rural students learning at home needs to be incorporated into the overall planning and arrangements. While increasing relevant investment, the government needs to fully mobilize public forces to improve infrastructure quality, increase learning facilities and show more concern for rural students.

Key words: COVID-19 epidemic, IT application in education sector, studying results, underdeveloped areas