Change is the only constant thing in life, says Heraclitus and adaptation, affords adjustment to new realities; the key to survival, across different species of creatures over time.
Human is not exempted from challenges that threaten survival, for history tells us and again, how humanity at different instances in the past, is pushed towards extinction and obliged to adapt to a new normal, in a bid to survive, owing to new realities posed by threatening events.
One of such occurrences, in recent times, is the Covid-19 pandemic.
The outbreak of the disease brought an abrupt halt, to lots of human activities, forcing a lockdown, that apparently threatens. with economical difficulties.
The fact remains, human activities cannot halt totally and continuously, for a long time, while the pandemic persists.
The social, economical and psychological strain on the masses, during the lockdown, is proof.
Schools, like other institutions, must definitely reopen. As a saying goes that; ”he who is tired of learning, is tired of life’.
Each nation realizes the weight of a healthy future for any modern society, lies on the shoulders of her educated minds, hence, a threat to learning is, a threat to the future.
With this in mind, governments across the globe see a need to get academic institutions running, while keeping them safe, for, like all other social institutions, they are a risk zone for the spread of the pandemic.
Relevant Measures for Safe Learning
In the light of these developments, greater wisdom lies, in exploring and employing safe strategies that allow smooth and effective learning, with safety as a premium.
E-Learning and Virtual Classes
Having a backdrop that the risk of infection is minimal when practicing good social distancing, internet learning, like remote work adopted in workplaces, is the safest learning practice at the moment.
It employs the use of the internet, tech devices and e-learning Apps, which grant users access to e-learning platforms and resources.
It is an effective method to ensure learning while maintaining zero contact, however, it is not immune to challenges, like the inability to properly monitor students.
The distance of tutors from students prevents adequate assessment of students’ learning performance and control of the learning environment against distractions, especially, for students and pupils in basic classes.
Coupled with this, is a fact that, the success of the whole process depends on the availability, accessibility and affordability of internet services, tech devices and e-learning apps, resources and facilities, which can really be tough for poor children in developing countries.
At the moment, operating schools from homes might prove difficult and less effective.
Regular Classes Structured With Hygienic Measures
The challenges of internet learning and virtual classes, clearly show that it is not, in all cases that, a substitute for regular physical academic classes is ideal.
With the pandemic still out there at our doorsteps, a second option to weigh is how to operate schools, with minimal risk.
While the global community awaits a vaccine, incorporating hygienic practices in learning environments, infection prevention and control, is key to achieving this.
It, then, follows that crowding must reduce in classes and schools, by reducing the number of students in a class and maintaining the standard social distance from desk to desk.
With nose masks enforced, temperature testing kits, sanitizers and handwashing kits must be available at schools.
Regular checks and tests should go on, to keep track of infections and emergency response services available, to handle detected cases.
The success of these, depends solely, on the compliance of students and the masses, with safety guidelines.
Sadly, these measures are failing in a few countries, as more cases of infections have been reported recently and linked to the reopening of schools.
We can only blame this on the negligence of safety guidelines, complacency and a nonchalant attitude towards the pandemic.
If the pandemic is to be here for a while, as predicted by many people, we must start learning to do things safely.
If we, for the fear of death, stop learning, it then, seems like in a bid to preserve life, we stop living.
Let us address the challenges of these learning strategies, then, we can soar higher above the storm of COVID-19, for while health is wealth, learning is living.
Featured Image: entrepnanteafrique
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to cfamedia weekly digest for updates.
