Digital divide in education during Covid-19 pandemic

Sarimah Surianshah (2021) Digital divide in education during Covid-19 pandemic. Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, 55. pp. 103-112. ISSN 0127-1962

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Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of digital divide on student outcomes using primary data. We used a sample of 233 secondary school students in the rural area of Sabah, Malaysia, during the COVID-19 pandemic from October to November 2020, about six months into student mandatory online learning. A random sampling method was employed in data collection using online questionnaire. This study adopted the two-step least squares method. We specifically measured students’ outcomes based on their perspectives of online class effectiveness and student financial constraints to attend these classes. The findings proved the existence of digital divide among students in rural areas. Specifically, the students’ low level of online learning attendance produced positive and statistically significant effect on their perspective of the effectiveness of online learning. In addition, the availability of digital devices at home significantly influenced student decision to take part-time jobs in order to help them purchase these devices to enable them attend classes. The findings suggest that there exist digital access barriers among students in rural areas during the pandemic. The study implies that the government or policymakers need to effect strategic intervention such as digital endowment to ensure that the digitally disadvantaged students are not left behind their peers.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Covid-19 , Digital divide , Government intervention , Rural area , Student outcomes
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB5-3640 Theory and practice of education > LB1025-1050.75 Teaching (Principles and practice) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1-1270 Public aspects of medicine > RA421-790.95 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive medicine > RA643-645 Disease (Communicable and noninfectious) and public health
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Science and Natural Resources
Depositing User:	SAFRUDIN BIN DARUN -
Date Deposited:	17 Mar 2022 15:05
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2022 15:05
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/31930

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