Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt, it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to the vulnerable section of the society.

Issue at hand: As online education rose to prominence during the covid-19 pandemic, the glaring inequity in accessing digital medium has made the education process itself inequitable.

(a) Ethical Issues

1. Failure to provide institutional education to students in an equitable manner.

2. Commodification of education as those with resources can access classrooms with ease but those who lack resources are left to fray on its own.

3. Mental and social wellbeing of the students on account of increasing pressure because of online classes.

4. As internet and associated technologies are regarded as Fundamental Right as declared by Kerala High Court, the reach of such technology is limited to upper echelons of society. Going into the future which would be dominated by technology, this would be a further avenue of deep chasm.

(b) Principles and values that will guide the recommendation:

1. Equity - Poor and vulnerables should not be left alone to tread their own path.

2. Empathy and compassion to disadvantaged social groups such as women, specially abled etc. For example, if a household has one digital device, then it is generally seen that boy child is given on priority before girl child.

3. Education as a fundamental right ensured under Article 21 A of the constitution.

(c) Measures to improve quality of online education:-

1. Teacher training on the use of information technology tool.
2. School management should proactively help the students and teachers if they are facing any problem.

(c) Measures to improve accessibility of online education.

1. To reduce the digital divide, implementation of schemes such as Bharatnet, National Digital India Mission.
2. Providing poor and disadvantaged students with necessary tools for accessing online class.
3. Improving infrastructure of government schools and installing requisite information technology tools.