Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C (2024)

This paper examines the landscape of education in Bihar examining the impact of a pandemic on the education of school children. The education system of Bihar has long grappled with deep-rooted inequalities and disparities, which were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sheds light on a critical aspect: students in government schools face substantial obstacles in accessing online education. The closure of schools, necessitated by the pandemic, adversely affected these students' well-being and educational journey. A majority of the students studying in government schools belong to marginalized and disadvantaged sections of society and they are disproportionately affected by the circumstances. The findings of this study reveal that the implementation of online education in Bihar during the pandemic encountered multifaceted challenges with the state's digital divide emerging as a formidable obstacle. The study exposes the factors contributing to the lack of success in implementing online education during the COVID-19 pandemic.