“I am very worried about what will happen to my child being out of the school setting for so many months. I know maybe I am being selfish because at least she had a little teaching online and so she has access, but some children don’t have any access. But I am still worried, like I don’t know what impact it would have on her,” she said worriedly.
This sister, like everyone worldwide, is trying to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic’s new norm of children being taught remotely. No one knows when schools are going to be reopened; in other countries where that was done, the authorities were forced to close them again because of new infections.
While it is known that schools are closed for the children’s safety, it does not prevent one from worrying about the long-term impact the closure will have on their development as the school setting and socializing with their peers are important aspects of children’s development.
“And for me I don’t even know if my child is really learning as she should because yes she has the online learning but I have to be there to guide her through and I am not the world’s best teacher, sometimes I do more harm than good,” the sister continued.
“But it is a good thing I am home. I don’t know what happens to the children whose parents have to work, and I don’t even want to think about the children who have no internet,” she said.
I knew exactly what she was talking about because I have listened to the concerns of many parents and as a parent I am also worried for my children. But we must spare a thought for the children whose parents cannot afford for them to access online learning, the children who have no capacity to be taught at home, whose home environment might be too crowded to accommodate this.
The government recently announced that $500 million will be pumped into the education sector to cater for learning during the pandemic and while that is commendable, many children will still fall through the cracks.
“My son, he catching he hand since school close and it does be helpful for me because is a struggle with me being a single parent. We don’t have internet and you know he use to get a little paper and so to learn but he start working and now he saying that he don’t want to go back to school,” another mother told me.
“I have more children and he now big, so I have to focus on them small one now. I don’t know how they getting to get teach because is whole day I out of the house. Sometimes I just don’t know what to do to tell you the truth,” she said candidly.
There are many other sisters who just cannot remain at home to supervise their children and we all know the saying ‘when the cat’s away the mice will play’. Children will be children and especially the younger ones, they would be unable to learn independently even if they have access to internet.
“For me school have to open up back. We can’t keep the children home forever. Parents going out and some of them doing they own thing and still exposing the children to this pandemic. People will have to get it and recover, how long will they be at home?” one frustrated sister questioned.
I pointed out to her what is happening in other countries which were forced to close their schools again because of the rising infections.
“I really don’t know what will happen because I used to see too much children on the road when they should be at home. The children not staying home so they exposing themselves and the parents are leaving them unsupervised. You know how much things could happen?” she answered.
I understood where this sister was coming from as I see children even in the city zipping through the traffic on bicycles and some of them are primary school children. And even as I think of my children my heart breaks for them because I am unsure what will happen to them when all of this over.
“No one has the answer. We just have to wait and see and do the best for our children and those around us. If you can help a child or two just do it because then you would be saving one child at least. We have to come together, if ever there was a time for us to come together for the nation’s children it is now,” one sister told me philosophically as we discussed the schooling of children in this period.
“We have to accept that some children will suffer. It may sound harsh, but it is the reality. Don’t let us bury our heads. This country cannot afford to cater to all of our children, and I am not just talking about the children who are living in remote areas, they might fare better than many others. I am more fearful for the children in the urban areas, those who don’t have internet and no adults to supervise them. I worry more for them.
“You just need to look around you and see what is happening and my advice to all is help out where you can, don’t just see and talk about it. If you can do something to help a child do it without any questions or expectation,” she advised.
I agree with her and I want to appeal to all to just help out. It does not have to be total strangers; many of us have relatives who are struggling, and if we can help them out we will be doing something. Opening your doors during the day to allow a child to access the internet might be a good start. If you can afford it, offer to print out material for children who don’t have access. And, more importantly, if you know a child is being exposed to danger please make a report to the relevant authorities and follow through to ensure they are helped.
To contact the Childcare and Protection Agency, persons can call 227-0979.
UNICEF advises that during COVID learning parents should plan a routine together with their children which factors in age-appropriate education programmes that can be followed online, on the television or through the radio. Also, factor in play time and time for reading. Use everyday activities as learning opportunities for children. Parents are also encouraged to have open conversations and encourage children to ask questions and express their feelings. Parents should also remember that their children may have different reactions to stress, so they are advised to be patient and understanding.
As parents you should take your time and start with shorter learning sessions and make them progressively longer. UNICEF advises that if the goal is to have a 30 or 45-minute sessions, start with 10 minutes and build up from there. Within a session, combine online or screen time with offline activities or exercises.
Importantly, parents should protect children online. While as the digital platforms provide an opportunity for children to keep learning, take part in play and keep in touch with their friends, increased access online brings heightened risks for children’s safety, protection, and privacy. Parents should discuss the internet with their children so that they know how it works, what they need to be aware of, and what appropriate behaviour looks like on the platforms they use, such as video calls.
Lastly, parents should stay in touch with your children’s education facility. They should find out how to stay in touch with their children’s teacher or school to stay informed, ask questions and get more guidance. Parent groups or community groups can also be a good way to support each other with home schooling.
Parents we have to adapt, no ifs or buts, we just have to do what needs to be done for our children’s future.
