The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on education worldwide, forcing educational institutions to transition to online teaching and learning. This study aims to understand the perception of students towards online education during the pandemic and the problems they faced. The research methodology includes the collection of primary data through a questionnaire and the use of statistical analysis tools such as simple percentage analysis, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, and regression. The findings of the study reveal that a majority of the respondents were satisfied with online teaching during the pandemic and believed that they have contributed to the prevention of spreading COVID-19. However, there were challenges faced by the students, such as poor education quality, over-dependence on technology, lack of technological support, lack of conversation, inability to learn directly, and difficulty in coping with the changed environment. These problems were ranked based on their severity, with over-dependence on technology and lack of technological support being the most significant challenges. The study also found a significant difference between the perception of students towards online learning and their gender. Moreover, there was a significant impact of students' perception on the problems they faced during the pandemic, indicating that perception influenced the challenges experienced by students. Based on the findings, several suggestions are proposed to address the issues faced by tribal students during the pandemic. These include establishing centralized digital classrooms in tribal areas, recruiting and training volunteers as Tribal Educational Assistants, conducting review meetings between school authorities and parents/students, organizing education sensitization and awareness campaigns, and implementing schemes and policies to provide digital accessories and internet connectivity to tribal students. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the digital divide and the challenges faced by students, particularly those from marginalized communities. The shift to online education has brought both benefits and drawbacks, and it is essential to address the issues and ensure equal access to quality education for all students. By implementing the suggested measures and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of online education, the educational system can better support students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.