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Pandemic reveals Iran's online-learning challenges

Iran is working out the kinks in its distance-learning process, which it launched on the fly when the coronavirus struck.
A teacher is seen while teaching online school classes to students at their homes, as schools are still closed, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Ali Khara via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC255G9PZ1I2

In response to Iran’s coronavirus outbreak in late February, one of the government’s first actions was to close schools and universities on March 5, leaving the education of millions of students in limbo. The prolonged shutdown has led to major challenges for students, parents and teachers.

Mahta is a fifth-grade student in Tehran who is trying to continue her education despite the challenges brought by the pandemic. “I’ve missed my school and my friends. Studying in school with my friends and along with my teacher was much better than studying online,” the 11-year-old told Al-Monitor.

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