Removing Barriers for the out of School Children through E-Learning: A Study of Teachers Perspectives

Abstract

This descriptive study was conducted to investigate the readiness of public sector school's to include out of school children through E-learning. The study was qualitative, conducted through in-depth interviews. The study was undertaken while considering all ethical considerations. The population of the study comprised of teachers teaching in regular public and private sector schools of Lahore. A semi-structured interview protocol was developed as a tool of the research. The questions focused on the teachers’ readiness and possible barriers teachers will face to reach out of school children through E-learning and how they can combat those challenges. A total number of thirty (30) teachers were taken as a sample of the study. The majority of the respondents were female and post-graduate. The interviews were recorded and transcribed by the researchers to analyze the data and draw conclusions. Findings revealed that majority of the teachers were ready to include out of school children through distance learning but they demand teachers training program for the technology friendly classroom. In addition to this, they were of the view to lessen the problems associated with out of school children with support of education ministry by providing tablets and technological gadgets to reach out of school children. To increase access of out of school children, support is required both at domestic and school level.