COVID-19: Online Learning and TV Broadcast limited in Addressing Current Education gap – ATAG

The Chairman of the All Teachers Alliance Ghana (ATAG), Isaac Ofori has lamented on the current trend of the Ghana Education Service (GES) resorting students at the Pre-tertiary level to using Television and Online medium of learning in the midst of the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to the Unionist, the flexibility of the online teaching could suffice only with university education but not with the basic and senior high schools.

”Many university students could afford laptops and smartphones and are more in tune with the internet and teaching them online will produce the kind of result one may expect.” He indicated.

Ban on Use of Smartphones

Isaac Ofori said millions of primary, junior and senior high students do not have direct access to smartphones, television or any form of internet.

More importantly, the government had banned the use of smartphones in senior high schools and many parents are not prepared to get their wards smartphones due to the distraction the device can post to many vulnerable students.

”Unfortunately, millions of primary, junior and senior high students do not have direct access to smartphones, television or any form of internet. More importantly, the government had banned the use of smartphones in senior high schools and many parents are not prepared to get their wards smartphones due the distraction the device can post to many vulnerable students.” He lamented.

Television

He further indicated, many families in Ghana do not owe television and even if they do, it serves the whole family and cannot be used exclusively by children.

”The polarization of the media terrain tells it all that children might struggle hugely trying to adjust to learning through television and online portals. They are addicted mostly to Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram and other social chats as well as many television programs such as telenovelas. The worst of the incidence is that many poor and average homes cannot afford the internet charges that come with online learning even if they posse a smartphone.” He said.

Quality Education

He admitted, It was clear and without mincing words that, the current strategy by the ministry of education and the Ghana Education Service to mitigate the current situation amidst global pandemic might lack the potency of achieving the quality of education that the country continues to grapple to achieve.

”When a country which is struggling to make an impact with classroom learning is now challenged to adopt online learning and television broadcast to achieve the same result, it could possibly be doing cost ninety work.”

”Considering the number of poor families in Ghana, the immediate solution intended to arrest the downturn in education might even end up creating more gaps that could take years to reverse. What is worse, this situation has shone a light on the fundamental flaws in the way Ghana had managed her public services – including education.”

”We need a radical rethink of how the situation can be properly be managed rather than resorting to online learning and television broadcast as the only way to arrest the downturn.” He said.

Parental Effect

He added that many families will virtually use the children who are now home for many chores and farming activities.

”Others are busily assisting their poor families to make income through rigorous selling of goods and wares. Children who had been abandoned by their parents are busily doing by day jobs to survive.”

He however added that only a few families can quarantine their children to access online learning and television education broadcasts.

”Apparently, I can be quick to say that the measures in place now favor more of rich families and the actors of education must rethink through.” He said.

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Closing of Basic Schools

According to the Unionist, the Ghana Education system as it stands is not ripe and fully prepared to integrate online learning and television broadcast due to the poverty level of many households.

He indicated that in his view,the country was so quick in closing her basic schools due to the level of panic situation created in the country.

”The quick recall of the final year students back home was a classic example of a panic situation because the government could have to manage the situation easily without recourse to any fear of a pandemic outbreak.” He said.

”Now the students and pupil are home and restless doing virtually nothing. If the instance of the coronavirus continues to persist, the situation will be aggravated as more students and pupil may likely not to return to the classroom after the corona is brought under control. It is most likely also that the measures put in place will yield little or no result as the government might not have any form of tracking system to check the impact.” He said.

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Suggestions

Isaac Ofori said there were more solutions to the current situation than online learning and television broadcast.

”Doctors recommended social distancing as an effective tool of curtailing the spread of the virus. Again, they also admonish us to continuously sanitize and wash our hands under running water.”

”They have also set up centers that we can easily report a possible incidence of the corona. What is important now is that, the lockdown has nothing to do with the remotest areas of the country. The virus might not be threatening many parts of the country as it stands and some students are psychologically grappling with the situation.” He said.

Shift System

Isaac suggested the government should adopt the shift system in managing the number of learners at the Basic Schools.

”Primary and Junior High Schools can run a perfect shift system to reduce the sheer numbers in some classrooms.”

”Even not all schools will be eligible for the shift system. The government can proceed to monitor the school in each district with a health van to constantly check the health status of the children. Each district has one ambulance and they can be used for such purposes.”

”School begins at 6 am for the first shift and closes 12 noon for the second shift to continue. The government can equally install sanitizers in schools and provide schools without standing pipes with more veronica buckets. Intensive health education can provide our children with a lot of security from the virus infection.” He said.

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SHS Students

‘With the final year students in the senior high schools, the ATAG Chairman suggested, the government can recall all of them to school and put them in the boarding house.

He said they could run a shift system whilst at school to ensure social distancing, adding, that other measures applicable in the basic schools can be undertaken in the SH.

”WAEC might announce a new time table as soon as the incident of the corona comes down and we cannot afford to disadvantage our students. WAEC is not exclusive to Ghana, other nations might not be experiencing any corona or less impact of corona and Ghana cannot get exclusive time table different from them.”

”As for students in years one and two, they could take the break as their holiday whilst they prepare to come and fill up the gap they have left.”

Teachers

Besides, Isaac Ofori  said teachers could be given additional motivation whilst they are encouraged to teach the children amidst calmness and inspiration of hope.

”Insurance and other forms of incentives could be available to them whilst the government strives to protect them from the virus infection as he does to the health workers.” He concluded

Source: EducationGhana.net

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