School closures due to Covid-19 raise new issues for our education

Students in colleges and universities can be expected to lead the way in taking care of themselves, as well as ensuring that appropriate conditions are in place.

When the younger students are less easily directed, and unlikely to observe such requirements as adults, they surely get dangerously exposed to infections.

That is why the government has hesitated on the measure, despite allowing adult learners in higher learning institutions to continue with studies, and Form VI students to prepare for exams rapidly and actually sit them.

It means a gap is being opened in learning for this year, unless the number of Covid-19 cases in the country continues to plummet, which is everyone’s wish but which no one can guarantee.

Hence, the necessity to sit and wait, indefinitely, as it is entirely possible for number of cases of the pandemic to ‘tilt’ either way.

Some experts have been saying that, owing to this situation, the government ought to formalise distance learning, but there were two problems.

First, some pundits appeared to be making that suggestion in relation to preparing for this academic year’s exams, which would create an unequal situation favouring those best connected to the internet, those capable of acquiring smart phones, etc.

The second problem is that they were rushing to conclusions, including that the virus will be here for a long time, even the whole year and beyond.

The stage is set for the opening of institutions of higher learning so long as they conform to hygiene measures more by each person’s actions than when large groups of teens and pre-teens are put together.

But it isn’t just a matter of formalising and leaving everything as it is; it calls for policy discussion as to how primary and secondary schooling can be organised amid the coronavirus.

This will not be an easy matter to address as what it implies is breaking down learners into small groups amenable to rules and equipment to ensure all this.

While it is still too early to make out specific or definitive ideas about the matter, chances are that a new round of investments in the education sector will be needed, like ensuring social distancing among learners even if to a minimal extent.

There will be need for plenty of new space, whether it is by expanding space in current schools or even in building more schools to accommodate pupils in the vicinity – which would leave existing schools with fewer pupils.

It also opens up the scope for informal education based on the tuition model, where more well-to-do families will obtain an advantage with the model cheaper than having to pay school fees.

This may also provide room for the recycling, so to speak, many unemployed graduates of our higher learning institutions, where they obtain a few coins helping the younger people understand the lessons.

In 1974 our country went through such a programme, called Universal Primary Education (UPE), to which was later added universal secondary education. With support from stakeholders here and outside, reorganisation can be done in the sector in a viable manner. That would be beneficial in more ways than one, we believe.