"Oh, and Now Who Can Help Us?" COVID-19 and Higher Education in El Salvador

Abstract

To flatten the COVID-19 mortality curve in El Salvador, borders were closed, mandatory quarantine was implemented, and face-to-face classes were suspended at all levels of education. With the rapid implementation of these measures, higher education institutions (HEIs) had very little time to prepare different support strategies to keep going with the development of the classes. The greatest challenges were evidenced by the face-to-face career subjects since faculty and students did not have any previous experience or training in virtual education.

This qualitative study identifies some demands and difficulties expressed by university students during this period. Contingency strategies are being shared, which the Salvadoran HEIs have implemented to support the faculty and the students of the different careers of the university. They pose challenges to rethink both virtual education at the higher level and teacher training and to acknowledge both the contributions of media literacy and the maintenance of an educational gaze, during and after the pandemic. This is not a bet to implement a distance education program, but a closer virtual education program.