COVID-19 and Emergency Migration to Remote Teaching in a Public University in the Maldives: Challenges, Solutions, and Lessons Learned

Year 2024, , 122 - 132, 13.06.2024

Visama Hassan , Dheeba Moosa

https://doi.org/10.26650/JECS2023-1367089

Abstract

Institutions of higher education worldwide were forced to implement emergency remote teaching (ERT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scenario presented several issues for university lecturers and students. This study examines the challenges, experiences, and lessons learned by lecturers at a public university in the Maldives when forced to conduct ERT during the pandemic using an exploratory sequential mixed-method. The respondents most frequently cited unreliable internet connection (83.9%) and internet cost (76.8%), while 75% reported difficulty in motivating students and meeting their varied needs (64.3%). Access to technology (66.1%) and performance assessment (62.5%) were also mentioned. Challenges included internet, technology, student support, learning, and evaluation. The lecturers learned new skills during the pandemic, which was a positive outcome. Lastly, they stressed training, assistance, and the crisis readiness of the university.

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic, Emergency Remote Teaching, Challenges, Maldives, Higher Education Institution

Ethical Statement

All subjects gave their informed consent for inclusion before they participated in the study. The study was conducted in accordance with the international best practice and protocols of the IUM ethics committee.

Supporting Institution

Islamic University of Maldives

Project Number

1

Thanks

We would like to thank the reviewers and editors for their time and consideration.

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