COVID-19 response: students’ readiness for shifting classes online

Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led education institutions to move all face-to-face (F2F) courses online across the globe. The purpose of this study was to investigate Indian students’ perception of readiness for this sudden shift and at the same time, report a possible approach of good institutional governance to respond to such an unprecedented crisis. Design/methodology/approach This study followed a mixed approach combining both quantitative (e.g. survey) and qualitative (e.g. interview) methods. A survey was distributed among 100 purposively selected students out of which 50 were college students and 50 were from secondary schools following heterogeneous purposive sampling techniques. In total, 30 participants were interviewed as per a set interview protocol. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially based on several demographic differences. Findings Findings revealed that students were neither satisfied nor ready for this sudden shift toward online education rather they felt fear, uncertainties, and several challenges owing to a deep digital divide to adapt to this unprecedented shift. They were found absorbed in memories of F2F mode before the COVID outbreak and take this online shift as a temporary adjustment owing to respond to the pandemic finding no possible alternate. Originality/value This study contributes and extends corporate governance literature by offering new evidence of perception differences between the company and customers as well. Education providers often assume that students desire online courses for their convenience and believe it equivalent to or better than F2F courses. This study challenges these managerial perceptions by examining students’ studies empirically and the findings will help regulators and policymakers to change accordingly.