The ManicaPost
Sebastian Mukuchura Post Correspondent
FORMER American president, Mr John F Kennedy once said, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education because the human mind is our fundamental resource.”
This cannot be further from the truth.
However, the world is currently battling the Covid-19 pandemic.
The year 2020 has thus proven to be a difficult year for the global education system. In particular, Africa stands to bear the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic due to low levels of technological advancements and vital educational infrastructure.
As a country, Zimbabwe has also put in place measures to curb the spread of the virus. In line with Government’s directives, all educational institutions are closed.
In fact for primary and secondary schools, they had to closing a week earlier than the scheduled date.
On March 27, President Mnangagwa also announced that the public is prohibited from non-essential travel. This has been effective since March 30.
To date, the country remains under lockdown, albeit at a reduced level to allow gradual re-opening of the economy.
For the sake of the students and their teachers, the education sector, especially primary and secondary schools, are yet to benefit from the gradual and cautious re-opening of selected sectors.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, there is need to maintain physical distancing, sanitisation and wearing of face masks to help reduce the spread of the virus.
Sadly due to the nature of our educational infrastructure, some of WHO’s recommendations seem unattainable due to lack of resources.
Therefore the question is where to from here?
The virus is likely to be with us for a foreseeable time. Can the fundamental resource alluded to by Mr Kennedy be safeguarded?
It is now almost five months since schools closed and confirmed cases of Covid-19 are increasing.
Therefore there is need to explore some of the best practices that can be adopted without diminishing the high standards of education that have been achieved by Zimbabwe since independence.
Covid-19 has redefined the way people do things and interact. There is no doubt that the education system has to adapt to the new normal and embrace the seemingly inevitable future imposed on mankind.
The prolonged schools closure might take the country backwards if we do not adapt to the new way of doing things quickly.
Learners are gradually becoming idle at home. This idleness can eventually lead to future social problems of drug abuse and underage sexual activities.
Innovation is required to keep abreast with developments in the society. The country needs to explore ways of circumventing the challenges affecting the education sector and ensure there is minimal disruption of the system.
E-learning should not be a catchword spoken at conferences and in theory. Schools should innovate and test the viability of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in teaching and learning.
The way forward requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Everyone needs to come on board, from internet service providers, parents, educationists, Government and suppliers of technological gadgets.
Due to the potential volume of usage, internet service providers should consider reducing data tariffs. Suppliers of ICT gadgets can also explore ways of providing low cost accessories to schools and parents with flexible payment plans. Teachers who until recently were used to delivering physical lessons should upgrade their skills and ensure their students do not lag behind.
Most importantly, parents should take a proactive role.
The physical absence of the teacher means parents should monitor their children’s work and appropriate usage of technological gadgets.
Teacher organisations can be very useful in mobilising their constituency to carry out research on new trends.
This can be a good opportunity to diversify and move away from activism.
While it is understandable that implementation of a nationwide e-learning programme can be a challenge, especially for learners coming from low income brackets, the multi-stakeholder approach will ensure smooth implementation.
Otherwise we risk leaving the underprivileged students behind, thereby widening the educational inequality between the rich and poor.
Covid-19 is likely to be with us for a long time and the world needs to change in order to survive it. In as much as it is uncomfortable to move around wearing a face mask, we need to adjust to the new reality to save lives.
In the same vein, the education sector also needs a rebirth.
◆ Sebastian Mukuchura is the director of Princeton Institute. He can be contacted on 0773516665 or [email protected]
