Impact of COVID-19 and Socioeconomic Inequality in Higher Education in Ecuador

Abstract

This work explores the socioeconomic inequality that COVID-19 exposes in higher education in Ecuador. Inequalities would be associated with a series of factors such as the digital divide in its dimensions of access, use and competition. The general objective is to link from theory the discussion about the agency capacity of students while their socioeconomic inequality is overcome by the enormous digital divide. The specific objectives are to identify the measures they chose to continue classes without interruptions. Evaluate how disadvantages due to the technological factor are resolved. And, analyze public policies to address and mitigate educational socioeconomic inequality.
Theoretical framework: The categories of social inequalities in university spaces are framed, through the use of agency capacity of those who participate meritocratically in the midst of the social justice debate according to authors such as Anthony Giddens, Amartya Sen and Francisco Dubet.
Method: Strategy consists of using documentary analysis, bibliographic compilation, accountability and archives to collect specialized information by regional institutional organizations.
Conclusions: Inequality has two faces: an unequal distribution of good education, but also concessions in terms of quality in order to not increase inequality due to the digital divide within homes that opened the doors to this normality.
Importance: Evolution of higher education within the university or technological career during the health crisis and the implementation of new rules of the game to continue teaching through the use of technologies.