Burden, Challenges, and Perceptions of Parents Towards Online Classes During Covid- 19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study From Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian educational institutions closed, prompting the need for online learning to maintain social distancing. Parents' views on online education for young children can influence the quantity and quality of their learning experiences at home. Objectives: To explore the burden, challenges, and perceptions of parents about their children attending online classes. Methods: This cross-sectional study, approved by the Ethical Committee, was carried out among parents of school-going children in Western Tamil Nadu between September 2020 and January 2021. This survey was conducted using Google Forms and social media, involving 450 parents, with a response rate of 39.3%, and analysed using IBM SPSS 27.0. Results: Around 40% of children used laptops as their primary tool for online education. Many children spend less than half of their total screen time on virtual learning. The majority of parents, around 61.6%, considered online education essential for their child, while a significant 81.4% believed that online teaching programs were not as effective as traditional classroom teaching. Conclusions: The study in Coimbatore highlights parent’s challenges and perceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of their voices in shaping educational policies.