Readiness of MBA Students for Offline Classes amid COVID-19 Pandemic
With colleges moving towards the offline class delivery mode, students fear the third wave of COVID-19. Check here how the future MBA Grads’ class experience is in the doldrums amid COVID-19.
Educational institutes were closed with the COVID-19 pandemic scaring the world. Most of the educational institutes switched to online learning systems during the halt. It is rightly said, “Need is the mother of invention”; however, the switch to online education had its pros and cons. Students have found the positives as well as negatives owing to the education from home. India encountered the second wave of COVID-19 in April 2021; with the sun rising in July, the COVID-19 cases started decreasing. Now, colleges in India have started calling students for offline classes.
With more than 5,000 MBA colleges in India, we must focus on the preparedness of management students to resume college. Shiksha.com conducted a survey to find the readiness of MBA students for the offline class delivery mode. In this study, around 100 MBA students have answered their perceptions and preferences for offline classes amid the pandemic. The survey results show that most of the MBA colleges have reopened for physical classes. Most of the MBA students in India prefer the offline class delivery mode. Read further to know about the survey results.
- Most MBA Colleges Reopened for Offline Classes
- Students Know the MBA College Reopening Dates
- 59% MBA Colleges Reopen in December and January
- 66% MBA Students Prefer Offline Classes Above Hybrid Education Mode
- Offline Class Delivery Mode Increases Interpersonal Interaction
- Partially Opened MBA Colleges Provide Flexibility
- Online Classes Provide Additional Flexibility
- All in All
Most MBA Colleges Reopened for Offline Classes
When confronted with the question of whether the MBA colleges have reopened or not, a little more than 45 per cent of the respondents replied agreeing that their colleges are fully operational. Nearly, 22 per cent of the MBA colleges are conducting online classes. While around 18 per cent of the MBA colleges are partially reopened with online as well as offline classes. Approximately 14 per cent of the MBA colleges are still closed.
Also Read: Online Education (Boon or Bane)
Students Know the MBA College Reopening Dates
Responding to the question on the MBA college reopening schedule, more than 52 per cent of students knew the college reopening dates. However, nearly 48 per cent of the students were still unaware of the college reopening dates.
Also Read: Online to Offline: These MBA Colleges Plan a Switch
59% MBA Colleges Reopen in December and January
MBA colleges in India started reopening in July 2021. Further, November saw a spike in the reopening of colleges with 18 per cent of colleges reopening. Around 59 per cent of the MBA colleges are scheduled to reopen in December and January. While only six per cent of the MBA colleges are also reopening in February 2022. However, many MBA colleges will release a detailed schedule on college reopening. It is estimated that February will count a 60 per cent spike in college reopening.
As many as 17 students responded when asked about when is their college reopening. The table below depicts the month-wise colleges reopened/reopening::
| Month |
Percentage of Colleges to Reopen/Reopened |
Number of Colleges Reopened |
|---|---|---|
| July 2021 |
5.88 |
1 |
| September 2021 |
11.76 |
2 |
| November 2021 |
17.65 |
3 |
| December 2021 |
29.41 |
5 |
| January 2022 |
29.41 |
5 |
| February 2022 |
5.88 |
1 |
*Source: Shiksha Survey
66% MBA Students Prefer Offline Classes Above Hybrid Education Mode
A little more than 65 per cent of MBA students prefer the offline mode of education. While the remaining MBA students prefer online education. This preference comes after students face problems with the online class delivery mode.
Offline Class Delivery Mode Increases Interpersonal Interaction
The reason behind the preferences of offline class delivery mode is the importance of interpersonal interaction with teachers and networking opportunities with peers. Other crucial reasons for offline class preference include change of routine, lack of focused studies and missing college life.
Partially Opened MBA Colleges Provide Flexibility
A partially opened college or hybrid class delivery model is flexible as well as convenient. Therefore, among the students who vouched for online for hybrid class delivery mode, 81 per cent voted for flexibility and convenience as the primary reason behind the choice.
In addition to the flexibility, a partially opened college helps students to manage time and reduces stress. Students can also pursue their interests via extracurricular activities in colleges. Furthermore, students get advantages of offline classes.
Online Classes Provide Additional Flexibility
Out of the total respondents who prefer online classes, more than 61 per cent of students found the online mode flexible and convenient. Nearly 39 per cent of the students prefer online classes as it reduces expenses. On the other hand, 39 per cent of students prefer online classes as it reduces the travel time. Around 38 per cent of students find online classes suitable as they can pursue another course side by side.
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All in All
As per the revelations from the Shiksha survey, conducted in the first week of December, not all MBA colleges have shifted to the offline class mode. Besides the merits of the online classes, students also fear the third wave of COVID-19. Although the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is still in its early stages, students consider offline mode as the way of life.
While considering the merits of the offline classes, one cannot overlook the safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 virus is mutating steadily, owing to less research, experts are yet to find the end to the pandemic. Neglecting the COVID-19 situations, students still vouch for the offline class mode for MBA education.
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