Abstract :The purpose of this study was to analyse the students perceptions on the future of higher education after the Covid 19 Pandemic which had drastic negative and positive impacts world-wide. School closures and remote learning as a response to the Pandemic situation changed the terrain of education. The aim of this study is to analyse the perceptions of student and map the way forward. A qualitative case study was carried on a class or 45 university students. Out of these 23 volunteered to participate. In depth online interviews were used to explore students’ perceptions about online learning and face-to- face learning at tertiary education. Findings indicate that students have mixed feelings. There are pros and cons of either going face-to- face or continuing with online learning. Four themes emerged in favour of face-to- face learning. These are, limited interactive learning, Unreliable network, examination integrity, high cost of accessing internet. On the other hand, online learning was also associated with the four themes, convenience of learning asynchronously, the convenience of learning in one’s comfort zone, (not necessarily the same geographical location) ability to harness technology in group discussions, educational assessments allowing quick access to feedback from teachers. In addition, online learning is also associated with developing self-disciplined learners who are not directly dependent on the teacher for studying. The study indicates that there are advantages and disadvantages associated with both face-to- face learning and online learning. The pandemic catapulted higher education into online learning. Education is always progressive. There is no need to abandon it completely, but to take the best of online learning and blend it with the traditional face-to- face learning in order to optimize learning. Positive schools are progressive. Hence the study recommends educational institutions to progress, not to revert back to face-to- face learning only, but to eclectically use both face to face and online learning, multimodal approach (hybrid learning and blended learning). Keywords : Face-to- face learning, online- learning, blended learning, hybrid learning, positive schools
