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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Now let’s embrace remote learning in face of lockdown over coronavirus

Education

By Antoney Luvinzu | Mar 21, 2020

The Covid-19 is now grazing our land. What we thought was a remote possibility is now right here with us, causing a major upset to our way of life. And it could get worse, really. We could be staring at a possible total lockdown. That would present unfathomable challenges to the economy and all spheres of life.

As you would expect, education institutions were among the first causalities of this unprecedented disruption. Learning institutions are on a lockdown. Learning has been suspended. This situation is not unique though. It has been a similar script in other jurisdictions hit by this pandemic. It is a global crisis.

So in the face of this adversity, do we sit back and lick our wounds in a miserable pity party? Or do we find alternative ways to ensure learning somehow goes on and the young ones are constructively engaged and educated? You know what they say about an idle mind? We don’t want our young ones with all their energy, creativity and raging hormones idle, do we? That is a sure recipe for disaster.

Many schools across the world are fast embracing remote learning. That is a virtual interaction between learners and their teachers. Call it distance learning. Or online learning. Whatever tickles your fancy. As a way of self-quarantining and/or observing social distancing, learners cannot congregate in the traditional classroom space. The teacher, therefore, hosts a lesson on an online platform like Zoom (there’s a plethora of these) and access an avalanche of resources on sites like Khan Academy (most of these sites are free).

Keep Reading business

Being technology heavy, remote learning presents a myriad challenges, especially to teachers and learners in areas with no internet access or those with no access to gadgets such as desktops, laptops or tablets. Although schools in more advanced countries and those that are well equipped in major cities of sub-Saharan Africa have seen a 500 per cent spike in remote learning, many learners in the rural areas of our country are at risk of being disenfranchised of their right to education. This is where the Ministry of Education ought to step in with verve and alacrity.

Swing to action

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development has rolled out a radio broadcast programme for both primary and secondary school learners. This is commendable. However, the output here is likely to be generic and will lack critical aspects such differentiation and collaboration et cetera. Since we are not sure how long this grave situation will persist, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with schools should endeavor to equip teachers to serve their students remotely, taking into cognizance the unique challenges each school or region faces.

This should also serve as a learning curve for the future. The government should invest in technology more in not only our education institutions but in learners as well – both in skills and resources. Teachers should be trained and/or retooled on such things as remote learning to effectively swing to action as and when the situation calls for it.

The writer is an International Baccalaureate educator. [email protected]