A challenging but necessary undertaking
Education in the middle of a pandemic…
By Sueann Wickham
Christina Chung attends North Georgetown High School.
Kaieteur News – Schools have resumed teaching in person after a short period of closure for the Christmas holidays. With preparations already underway for the Easter Term and other upcoming exams, students and teachers have been putting their best foot forward to ensure efficient learning despite the many constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Classes resumed for all students in the country on January 4 last. Students taking part in face-to-face classes returned to that method of learning and those involved in virtual learning adhered to that approach as well.
This reporter asked for comments from a few students, as well as some parents and teachers, about the experiences they have had since the start of the pandemic.
CHALLENGES
Undoubtedly, virtual learning has been a challenge for many students across the country over the past few months. The virtual classroom concept was largely embraced by educational institutions because of the infectious nature of the virus first discovered in Guyana in March last year.
Moreover, teachers used ZOOM and Google classrooms to administer classes and while it was safer than face-to-face teaching, it was still difficult for some.
Many students who returned to another term of virtual learning revealed that it was still difficult months after participating in that method of learning.
Syesha, a Grade 7 student at Cummings Lodge High School, said virtual learning had br
Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development, Marti DeSouza.
it should be less demanding as it relates to the teaching / learning process. He said that transition from primary to secondary school was already a difficult task and that virtual learning was making it more difficult.
The student also expressed that it is often difficult for teachers to interact with students like her because they are fresh in the secondary school system and introducing new subjects is more or less difficult at both ends. Adding to that, she shared that leaving the primary level and entering the secondary system was supposed to be an exciting experience and she always looked forward to meeting her new friends on the first day. But that has been delayed because of COVID-19.
Other students shared that internet access is a major factor in their learning, but it is not something that everyone can afford.
A student at Christ Church High School, who gave her name as Sarah, said virtual learning puts some burden on her parents because they have to find the internet. “They had to find not only internet access but a stable internet. That was an extra cost in their pockets in the pandemic, which is already difficult … I had to go most months without the internet and I used family members Wi-Fi but it wasn’t good enough. So for this season, we had to make the sacrifice, ”he said.
She further emphasized that she was missing face-to-face classroom sessions and that she hoped her level could return to physical classrooms for this term but unfortunately that did not happen.
She revealed that while most of her teachers put their best foot forward to ensure students learn virtually, many are still out of touch and struggling with technology themselves.
Classroom of Grade 10 students at St. George’s High School.
Face to Face
Since November 9 last year, students returned grades 10, 11 and 12 for face-to-face classes in light of the upcoming Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Education (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
The schools reopened under strict COVID-19 protocols with mixed responses.
When school doors reopened after the Christmas holidays, these students returned to school again and a few were happy to share their experiences.
Christina, a Grade 11 student at North Georgetown High School, noted that the face-to-face classes made things much easier for her as a CSEC student. According to the student, it is still challenging because of practice social isolation protocols for classrooms, but they still manage to get things done. She recalled her experience with virtual learning and noted that she and her classmates were often inconvenienced.
“Learning was almost challenging, because the school was closed because of the pandemic. Learning to do online classes was difficult to learn because of the inconvenience of being unable to have face-to-face contact with the teacher as when in the classroom. There were many challenges when trying to complete our School Assessments with the other students as it was sometimes difficult to contact them. Learning is so much easier when we are taught face to face, ”he said.
Marti DeSouza (standing left) addressing a classroom of students in Region One recently.
TURN-OUT OF STUDENTS
In hinterland regions, turnout for face-to-face classes was low, according to the Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development, Marti DeSouza.
He said the hinterland had seen ‘student eviction’ at just below 50 per cent. He added that face-to-face interaction had been going smoothly and plans were afoot to link virtually all secondary schools. This, he said, would work particularly well for the dormitory students who have access to the school’s Wi-Fi.
The DCEO further noted that it is currently in Region One (Barima-Waini) assessing the condition of the computer laboratories to ensure that they are fully operational. It was expected that a trial run of the virtual learning process would take place and if successful would be extended to all hinterland schools.
“Students of Grades 10 and 11 live in the dorm, but because of the loss of learning experienced, we seek redress through virtual. Students who have not returned will continue to engage through the Ministry of Education worksheets, ”revealed DeSouza.
Teachers also reported low turnout in schools in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). A teacher at East Ruimveldt High School revealed that only 50 percent of the school’s grades 10 and 11 students showed up for the Easter Term.
However, word out of the Ministry of Education is that officials are optimistic about reopening the schools and the rest of the term.