Asian Journal of Sociological Research

Socio – economic issues affected the educational scenario severely in India as well as developing countries during the COVID 19 pandemic. The article intended to focus on such issues through forum theatre. The forum was practiced by the group theatre Goria Sucharcha, Kolkata in the online Workshop entitled as ‘Drama for a Better Personality, Better Life’, organised by Department of Philosophy, West Bengal State University, India. Faculty members and students were the participants of the study. The main purpose of the study was of two fold. Firstly to analyse the pros and cons of online education and secondly the utility of forum theatre as a tool to discuss the issue even in virtual medium. An online baseline random survey was made through social media before the forum session which showed clear opinion of middle class people against online system of education. More than 80 per cent mentioned about the increase of mental stress in this form of education. 21per cent of the students and teachers took active part in the forum. 42per cent time was spent in discussion. The forum declared that in a poor, class discriminated society online education and/or ‘education for all’ is a paradox. Simultaneously forum agreed about the limit situation occurred during this pandemic and need for more and more dialogue at community to overcome such dark time and to liberate mankind. The article thus suggested Forum theatre to be equally effective to address social issues at community level in online mode also with further innovation in technique which would be more relevant and applicable form.