Dear editor,
THE coronavirus pandemic continues to bring new challenges with every passing day and even though there have been solutions to many on the issue related to the pandemic, some problems are still unresolved. The fact that some issues have been resolved, however, should not distract us from the fact that even solutions have problems attached to them and on-line learning, (while solving the issue of crowded classrooms and protecting our young ones), has created issues for many students and teachers alike.
Parents, teachers and students have unanimously expressed their displeasure of the idea that children have to sit still and stare at screens for extended periods of time, doing things that (for the most part) do not capture their attention. Parents are more taxed and burdened with responsibility than ever before.
Financially, there has been an increase in spending since children are at home for longer periods of time (all day and night). On a normal school day, parents would have been able to send their children off to school and thus, save money on the number of snacks that the children would use along with electricity and water. Children are bathing more, eating more, using more electricity and also being as loud as ever; even as some of their parents try to work from home. In other cases, parents have lost their jobs, incomes have dried up and even businesses have taken a negative hit because of the pandemic. Some businesses are spending more (to make sure that the area is safe and sanitary) ,while also earning less because of reduced customer purchases. Other businesses have closed down completely, leaving the owners and their children in urgent need of funds.
Parents are also more emotionally taxed, since they have the added worry of limited cash flow, the current pandemic and the stress of having to assist their children with education in ways that they never have before. In addition to this heavy burden of stress, parents are faced with constant exhaustion since they are often encouraged (sometimes they respond reluctantly and are thus, forced) to make sure that children do the work that is given to them. Embarrassment and ill-feelings are also at an all-time high, since some parents who were not able to properly complete or participate in formal schooling are now regretting the fact that they are not properly educated, even if they are successful adults. Skills such as calculating, reading and writing, comprehension and even basic science have many adults baffled. In some of these cases, parents are unable to learn along with their children. This makes classes for the child more difficult. Some parents refuse to learn along with their child or children, because of pride or shame or sometimes both.
Constant exhaustion is not only attributed to parents, but teachers and students also. Both teachers and students are adjusting to a learning environment that has never been in operation before and the added burden of learning how to learn and how to teach increases exhaustion as teachers and students tire faster. Teachers are also faced with the burden of lack of the proper environment in which to deliver their classes due to issues with noise pollution and space. Some teachers and students are cramped into small corners with mosquitoes tormenting them, just so that they can be part of the on-line learning process. Students from all levels are faced with similar issues as reports of an increase in cases of back- pain and eyestrain are now more common. Another pertinent problem that has presented itself during the pandemic is the lack of specialised attention that was permitted in former classroom sessions. Teachers were able to ensure that students were focused on the content with a simple glance around the classroom but now, with all the faces packed behind a screen, the process is much more difficult. Students who are unable to grasp concepts as quickly as some others are now left behind due to the decrease in options for specialised attention. The teachers can no longer come over to your desks and correct your work or give you praise, so motivation to do work from some teachers and students is also a growing issue.
Pranks and rude behaviour have all become a terrible impediment to the entire on-line learning process. Teachers are also concerned with the conduct of some parents who have no teaching experience nor training, but constantly try to instruct the teachers on the best way to do their jobs. Instead of finding a more suitable way to raise their points, parents are on line with their children on a daily basis, giving their so-called professional contributions to the lessons. Some teachers are being threatened and there are even cases of children obtaining the private contact information of their peers or tutors, simply to harass them.
The lack of proper electricity is another major issue in Guyana. Blackouts have not only interrupted classes and exams, but have also damaged electronic devices, putting some parents and even students and teachers in unforeseen expense. Added to this setback is the superb issue of the lack of effective internet access. Slow Internet speeds and even Internet blackouts are also major concerns for children, parents and teachers alike. Many have even complained of the unreliable devices that they are forced to use. Broken tablets, smartphones with no cameras, devices with insufficient memory to store class materials and even the lack of a device to use for zoom meetings, etc. have all been cited as serious problems that hamper the on-line learning process.
Even if all of the criteria for on-line learning are met and the students have good electricity and internet access along with a properly working device such as a tablet, smartphone or laptop, there is still the major problem of inconsiderate neighbours who blast music loudly during the time that on-line classes are in sessions. In other cases, the neighbours are not the issue, but rather the people who reside in the same household. Noise pollution is now a major contributor to the stress levels and negative emotional states of all parties involved in the on-line learning process (parents, teachers and students).
All of these issues and more, contribute to the increase in stress and frustrations in households and on-line classrooms around the country.
Best regards,
Khadidja Ba
Child Link
Communications Associate
