We live in unprecedented times when the onset of a new pandemic, or economic crisis, is a real possibility. One of the immediate consequences of such black swan events on the lives of children is the disruption of school education. 

Nelson Mandela had said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” When the very continuity of education is threatened, it has many side-effects, including interrupted learning, loss of connection with teachers and friends, disrupted schedules, chaos, increased stress, and a loss of hope.  

According to a report by UNICEF, children in India are estimated to have lost five hours for every full-closure day, and 2.5 hours lost for each partial-closure day, during the pandemic-induced lockdowns. Globally, school children collectively lost an estimated 1.8 trillion hours of education. If you’re wondering how to survive depression in times of crisis, especially in regard to your children’s education, it is a legit concern. 

Now, imagine a world where your child’s education never gets disrupted, and they can access high-quality education from the comfort and safety of home! The conflation of high-quality multimedia K12 content, cloud computing, and digital access has paved the way for a new model of education - full-fledged, tech-enabled K12 online schools.  

Online schools on the cloud have evolved into a high-quality K12 education offering that students can access from anywhere, anytime. They are no longer just an appetizer served to children in the interim, as they wait to return to a brick-and-mortar school. Online schools are the main course in a student’s life, and this is a growing trend around the world, due to its several advantages:  

Online schools deliver uninterrupted education throughout the year, reducing the potential for disruption during a personal, national or global crisis. 

Another reality is having to relocate due to a new job or work transfer. For children, joining a new school is a stressful experience. However, online schooling presents an alternative to changing schools every few years. Now, students can travel freely, with their school in the palm of their hands! In their new surroundings, the familiarity of one’s school, teachers, and classmates, brings comfort and continuity. 

Brick-and-mortar education is also highly inaccessible to children living with disabilities and specific health conditions, depriving them of quality education. However, online schools stream quality education right into their homes, enabling them to compete in an increasingly digital world. The nature of learning modules leverages sound, visuals, and other communication modes, bridging the inaccessibility gaps. 

As we can see, the case for online schools is growing, but the quality of education is a key aspect of the success of this model. 

Here are some guidelines for parents, when zeroing on the right school: 

Online schooling is no longer merely a reaction to a crisis. It is being recognized as a legitimate mode of education that stands firm. But as more and more online schools establish themselves as an alternative to brick-and-mortar education, parents must carefully vet their choices. 

Since this is a newer phenomenon, the school might not have a long-term track record. However, parents are advised to look into the pedigree of the founders, principals, and teachers, as well as the current record of the school. 

21K School, headquartered in Bangalore, is India’s first full-fledged online school delivering K12 education. Though it was only launched in 2020, it already has 3000 enrolled students hailing from 400 cities in 35 countries, representing 17 nationalities. This indicates that the number of takers for online schools is growing. 

Online schools have opened new doors, and one unique advantage is the access to diverse curricula. Today, one can choose from CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE, and American curricula. 

Earlier, one needed to study abroad or join a premium brick-and-mortar school to access an internationally-recognized curriculum. But online schools offer this choice at an affordable price, right here in India. This is also a timely opportunity for students seeking studies and job opportunities abroad. 

On the other hand, parents of Indian students living overseas can empower their children to learn via online schools rather than pay a premium for a CBSE school in a location such as the Middle East. 

Online schools have made international education more affordable, yet, they have raised the bar for quality. 

The modern world of work is a radically different place than it was five years ago. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, successful hires' key differentiators are adaptability, analytical thinking, problem-solving, original thinking, digital savviness, collaboration with global teams, and initiative-driven. 

The learning approach of superior online schools is to gently nudge students to inculcate these emerging skills via the intelligent design of learning modules. Students also interact with children around the world, becoming part of a global community of learners. 

Rather than subjecting children merely to the pressure of earning high marks, parents must shift their mindset and encourage children to embrace this immersive learning environment that is designed to hone them for the future. Here’s what 21K school has to say about the same. 

Tech-enabled school interfaces facilitate a seamless, high-quality experience for students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders, such as guest speakers, who all have access to a unified interface. Here are some questions to ask while reviewing the learning interface:

Can students easily access learning resources, classroom sessions, guest lectures, and work on assignments? 

Can they collaborate with their peers in groups, which encourages collaborative learning? 

Are the learning resources designed to help break down learning concepts and help students learn with speed and depth?

Can you successfully keep track of your child’s progress without being intrusive? 

Offering children a quality online schooling experience will equip them for the challenges awaiting them in a brave new, disruptive business world. It offers them the tools and grooming to succeed, and find fulfillment in their chosen career path, in the future. As Albert Einstein said, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” Online schools like 21K School, by design, are geared to deliver on this promise.