The term PESTLE analysis is mostly used in a business context. It is an abbreviation for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental analysis of factors. These terms help in giving a broader perspective of the dynamic environment related to its particulars. However, it can be used for determining the future prospects of not only trading activities but also of intangible services. It ranges from FMCGs to providing services, for instance - teaching. PESTLE analysis is similar to assessing a potential subject with the SMART criteria. Both of these ways are used to analyse the potentials and shortcomings of an individual or a business.

Following are the factors of PESTLE analysis from a teaching and learning perspective.

Political aspects in the teaching and learning process can be explained through an intermediary role of government or political groups who promote education. It is a well-known fact that a countries’ success or failure depends on how much its nation is educated and how much importance they pay to educate their upcoming generations. To win votes in developing countries, various political leaders promise to make economic/education free of cost at all levels. In developed nations, they believe that education is every child’s right.

Moreover, in the longer run, politics will also get stronger if people are educated and will overall boost the economy of that particular country. From a bird’s eye view, political aspects of Education include the following:

Some countries such as the UK and other European countries allocate a budget towards higher education to reduce the subsidies for the cost of education. This step from the government makes acquiring education trouble-free for students. However, the UK is now planning to reduce the budget allocated towards higher education. This may inflate the cost of education for locals as well as for foreign students.

A country like the UK has about 20% of the students from abroad in postgraduate and 40% in under-graduate level. The decision made by the government on reducing their budgets can drastically drop the number of foreign students. However, the majority of those foreign learners come from European countries. We are yet to see the effects of Brexit on it.

The economic factor deals with the contributions made through Teaching and Learning to the economy. Teachers, trainers and instructors contribute to the economy by providing their services. These services ultimately generate future employees. When people get employed, the rate of unemployment reduces. It leads to a higher standard of living and increases the aggregate demand in an economy. The monetary contribution made by an increase in aggregate demand helps the economy in performing well. Educated people are usually focused and career-oriented. Their efforts, if channelled correctly, can take a country to places in terms of economic growth.

People who work towards their continuous professional development can benefit the economy. For instance, if you are interested in training the trainers, you may teach people who can become potential employees in the economy. Their taxes and overall spending will bring in more revenues for the government.

On the other hand, there are a few issues relating to economic factors are as follows:

It is not a surprise that even after multiple subsidies, acquiring higher education is not that affordable in many countries. Students need finances to pay off their annual tuition fees. These loans accumulate to become a burn on the students. This financial burden is scaring many students in enrolling for higher studies. This would decrease the literacy and employment ratio of the country.

The Global Pandemic, as well as a lower literacy rate, are major contributors to a weak job market. It is necessary that the government takes serious actions to create opportunities for people who are actively seeking jobs. However, they should work towards subsidising education rigorously. Subsidies will eventually encourage students to study further and become future employees.

The social aspect covers all the potential benefits and drawbacks that can affect a country socially. If people are educated, there will be more jobs available in the market and their efforts will be channeled towards positive aspects. Instead of committing crimes, they would engage in their own CPD and social welfare.

Moreover, educated people also highly prioritise the use of Eco-friendly goods/products for the best interest of society. This would help in reducing carbon waste and sustain the environment.

On the other hand, social factors have a few issues which are as follows:

As students grow to take loans, a large sample amongst them fails to repay them. It can adversely contribute to economic factors. The dropout ratio can increase if students are unable to pay back.

Loans are a discouraging factor for students to get enrolled in higher education. Employers would be forced to change their entry-level job requirements from higher education to relevant experience. Experienced individuals would be preferred over students with a relevant degree.

A literate individual can directly get involved in developing new technology to refine processes. The technological aspect is very short-lived and needs to be upgraded yearly. These upgrades include more options and even more efficient than the previous version. However, what’s most important here is that technology is used worldwide. If an individual develops a unique technology, the whole nation can benefit from its export.

Apart from the hardcore technology, machines and equipment, here are a few benefits of technology:

People now prefer e-learning over traditional classroom-based learning. One of the reasons is the Pandemic. However, now students have realised that they can save a lot of money by opting for online education. One can get access to quality content and degrees from top universities at the ease of their home. They can save the cost of traveling and accommodation that sums up to be a massive amount. That amount can be utilised in acquiring an additional course from a recognised college.

Technology has given a chance for learners with special needs and disabilities (SEND) an opportunity to study. Using technology and resources has made the job easier for teachers to teach and the students to learn.

Here are legal factors from PESTLE analysis on Teaching and learning and its effects. GDPR policies by the UK government have made it mandatory to keep information private that pertains to any individual. It is necessary for intuitions to keep names, contact information and other details of an individual in their records but confidential.

There are no particular effects of environment from PESTLE analysis in Teaching and learning. In a bigger picture, an educated nation would have sufficient knowledge about keeping the environment safe, healthy and sustainable.

In a nutshell, PESTLE analysis directly or indirectly impacts teaching and learning. A government should plan its activities and policies according to the need of time. They should ensure that no individual is exploited in their journey of acquiring quality education.