With Taiwan still on Level 3 COVD-19 alert, schools are closed and classes have been switched online. However, for underprivileged students in remote areas, they may not have the equipment or environment to be able to learn well online.
When the Level 3 COVID-19 alert kicked in nationwide, some schools in remote areas were prepared, such as those in New Taipei City, but others were not. This school in Miaoli had to hold classes at school because students didn’t have internet service in their homes.
The Child Welfare League Foundation conducted a survey that shows that 60.7% of 303 remote schools need outside help with digital learning equipment, while 53.1% didn’t have internet service.
Many underprivileged students face obstacles at home. The study found that some parents can’t help their children with their homework. Some adults are busy making a living and have little time for their children. Younger siblings running around at home can also make studying at home very distracting. These all can lead to family conflicts. The foundation hopes Taiwan can find ways to make digital learning easier for these families.