The Ministry of Education’s Welfare Department at Linden, in Region Ten, has advised both learners and their parents to use stress-relieving activities to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday afternoon the department hosted a webinar on “Coping mechanisms for parents and students during the COVID-19 pandemic,” during which two of the Welfare Officers examined the negative impact caused by the pandemic on both the school system and the world of work.
Welfare Officer Shekira Gorine explained that due to the closure of schools, learners’ engagement with their peers has been affected and that this can affect their learning abilities as socializing is crucial for the development of learners both in and out of the classroom. She said that the learners are also figuring out how to adjust to the shock brought on by the pandemic. She also noted that since the pandemic started, the department has received reports of many complaints that are “psychosomatic.” The term is used to describe the physical illnesses which are triggered by psychological factors.
Due to COVID-19 safety measures enforced by the National COVID-19 Task Force, many persons have been out of work while students have been out of schools, which were closed in March last year. The school closure has left most students learning from home.
Grace London, another ministry Welfare Officer in Region Ten, said that the school closure has not only affected the students’ way of learning but it has also robbed them of their school activities. Graduations and other school activities where learners get to focus on other things aside from school work cannot be presented in the way learners are accustomed to. She added that learners who have hobbies should engage more in their hobby and those who don’t have, should consider getting a hobby.
The officers also discussed the impact of the pandemic on parents, such as the loss of jobs and adjusting to the cost of maintaining virtual classroom accessibility and helping learners with their classes. Gorine explained that some parents might be feeling inadequate about providing for their children because of ways the pandemic has affected them. She said that this can lead to a “general meltdown,” which affects everyone in the home. To cope with this crisis, London said that parents also need to alleviate the stress by finding solutions that help them to remain calm and mindful. She said that meditating and speaking about the issues that are affecting them with a friend or relative are great ways for persons to become less stressed. Others suggestions were to exercise and have quality family time like game nights, which are distractions. She said that parents should avoid panicking because that only adds to stress, which affects the health and wellness of persons.
Lastly the welfare officers said that parents need to be more alert and observant with their children to notice the signs which indicate how the pandemic is affecting them.
The webinar is the first of a 10-part series that will look at topics currently relevant to the education system.
