The Repercussions of Distance Education in The Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic Higher Education Sector in Algeria as A Case Study

Abstract

     In the aftermath of the appearance of the COVID-19 virus and its rapid spread worldwide, the trend toward distance education has become one of the hallmarks of the era. This is due to its ability to reestablish communication between students and professors, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic prevented direct interaction. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the nature of distance education, its challenges, and its effectiveness, especially after the declaration by the Minister of Higher Education, Mr. Abdelbaki Ben Ziane, that the system of distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded positive results at an early stage.

Based on the boldness of this statement, the research raises several closely examined questions: Does distance education ensure the achievement of effective learning without compromise? Can distance education replace traditional (in-person) education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? Is distance education merely an educational measure to overcome the pandemic crisis, or does it serve a more extensive purpose? Does distance education guarantee the quality of higher education?

The research relied on a descriptive approach based on analytical and retrospective methods. Regarding the significance of the study, it focused on examining the flexibility of measures taken by the Ministry of Higher Education in Algeria to combat the COVID-19 virus and shedding light on the rapid evolution that has impacted the system of distance education.