Educational challenges and opportunities of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
This year, and especially march will forever be known in the education sector as the month when all the schools together shut down completely. Starting from March 1, six governments all around the world closed due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic, and by the end of this month, about 185 countries had closed which affected 90% of the world’s students. The speed of these closures and the swift move to distance learning left everyone with little time for planning about the potential risk and opportunities that one can gain out of this.
Keeping the aforementioned in mind, let us talk about all the challenges and risk one is facing :
1) Now that we are practising distance learning, it will reinforce how we see teaching and learning that we know might not work.
We are aware of how countries are now practising distance learning approaches, either by distributing physical packets for students or through using technology and incorporating online learning. And the risks involved here is that these approaches turn out to be very solitary and didactic when you ask the students to sit and watch the video, read, or click-through presentations. Getting used to this might take time, and one will have to make specific changes, but so far this seems like the only feasible way to move forward for many private schools in India.
2) Staying engaged
Trying to hold the attention of children, especially young secondary students. Considering the fact that dropout rates are still alarmingly high in many countries, and a long period of online learning might lead to the same. One goes to school not only to learn maths and science but also how to build social skills and relationships, and it is about learning how to be a great citizen developing social skills. Hence, the reason why it is essential to stay in touch with the CBSE School in India by all means necessary.
3) Meals
In various parts of the world, there are school feeding programs that provide kids with nutritious meals. They are vital when it comes to cognitive development and well-being. A program like this requires complex logistical and administrative thinking. Although one can try and figure out a way to provide those meals using the school building in a systematic way, networks or even community building, and if necessary, distribute directly to the families. Due to various restrictions delivering meals might be feasible, what one can do is, cash transfer programs should be expanded or implemented to compensate the parents.
4) This pandemic will help us come together across boundaries.
We would be remiss if we didn’t practice empathy on a daily basis- the idea and objective that we can get through this if we stick by each other is a great initiative. It is a great opportunity for the education sector to unite, forge connections across countries and continents, and share their ideas and strategies on what works in a global way.
Conclusion
These were some of the risks and opportunities that have come along with this novel coronavirus. Here’s hoping that this gave you some insight and helped you figure out on how to turn around the situation according to your benefit.