Adapting to the ‘New Normal’

By Samar Bhatia

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a seismic shift in our lives, with global lockdowns disrupting the familiar rhythms of our daily existence. The resulting ‘new normal’ has upended our perceptions of normalcy, reshaping how we work, shop, dine, and educate our children.

Education, in particular, stands out as an industry grappling with profound challenges in adapting to this new reality. While various sectors have encountered hurdles—organisations transitioning to remote work, restaurants pivoting to
delivery-and-takeaway models—education has faced a uniquely complex transformation. Unlike corporate employees who were already accustomed to using computers, many educators found themselves thrust into a paradigm shift from traditional
chalk-and-blackboard classrooms to fully digitised virtual learning environments.

This transition brought several obstacles. The schools and colleges that lacked the IT infrastructure and digitally trained teacher required for virtual education, initially struggled to navigate the virtual landscape. However, despite teething problems, the education industry successfully embraced the new normal.

The corporate world, with its prior familiarity with video conferencing, found adapting to a work-from-home model a relatively smoother process. In contrast, educators had to overcome significant challenges, necessitating a fundamental shift in their teaching methods and embracing technology to create engaging virtual classrooms.

But the good part is, the education sector’s resilience and adaptability in embracing a digitised future underscored its commitment to providing quality learning experiences, even in the face of unprecedented challenges.