Education is one of the many sectors that are greatly affected by the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The increasing number of people infected with the disease has forced schools to suspend their classes to protect students and school employees from being infected. Over 190 countries have closed their schools affecting more than 90% of the global student population.
Most schools planned to suspend their classes for 2 to 4 weeks only but the continued threat from the disease has extended the class suspension to months. It was an abrupt decision causing the cancelation of exams, school terms, and even graduations.
The coronavirus disease infected millions and killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. It is easily transmitted through droplets which are released by sneezing or coughing. These droplets are not visible to our naked eye. In addition, some infected people are asymptomatic or do not have symptoms making it difficult to tell if the person we are in contact with is a source of infection.
The health sector was not prepared for this new disease and is still developing a vaccine to combat its spread. Therefore, the best prevention we can take as of now is to distant ourselves from others. However, a quick and effective response to the education disruption is important to avoid more damages to the education sector which also effects economy.
Many countries are yet to decide on when to reopen schools while others have started distant learning programs either through online classes or modular learning system to continue the education of children. Facilitating online classes is a good strategy to continue learning while staying at home. It ensures safety and social distancing to both teachers and students as they don’t have to step outside their doors. They only need a computer and internet connection to communicate with each other.
Unfortunately, many students cannot participate in this new method of learning as they don’t have access to the necessary resources. In developing countries more than 50% of their student population who do not have access to a computer or internet connection to use for schoolwork. In fact, some don’t even have electricity in the home.
Another solution to continue education while implementing social distancing is modular learning system. This is the suggested educational program for students who do not have access to computers and internet connection. In this system, the teachers provide printed instructional modules for the students to study. The modules also contain activities or quiz pages to test the students’ understanding.
Modular learning system requires the parents to take charge of helping their children to understand the lessons in modules as teachers will only have limited time to spend with their children, mostly to deliver, collect, and assess the students’ progress, only. However, many parents from low-income family are unable to teach their children as they have little education.
Both of the learning methods have disadvantages for children who come from low-income families. It limits their chance to continue their studies and be left behind by their classmates. Some of them may not return to school at the end of the pandemic because of the economic impact they experience.
School closures have caused changes to the educational system. It let us innovate and use new ways of learning to continue delivering quality education. Unfortunately, it also has many consequences and hardships especially to children from developing countries. In fact, it effect affects children’s nutrition especially in Africa. Some students depends on school meals to have proper nutrition. Many parents also relies on schools for childcare so they can work while their kids are at school. The widespread school closure leave millions of children in hunger worldwide.
Isabella Whitmore is a mother of two, a teacher, https://bangcacloai.com/ and an advocate of better education for every student. She writes articles about health, education, family, and households. You can find some of her work at website , an appliance website that offers a wide selection of electric kettles which are handy and reliable.
