Education is one of the many sectors that have been hit hard by the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The increasing number of people infected with the disease has forced schools to stop their classes to protect students and school staff from infection.
More than 190 countries have closed their schools, affecting more than 90% of the world’s population.
Most schools plan to suspend their education for only 2 to 4 weeks, but the continuing threat of illness extends class suspension by months. It was a sudden decision that resulted in the cancellation of exams, study requirements and even diplomas.
Coronavirus has infected millions of people and killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. It is easily transmitted by droplets released when you sneeze or cough. These droplets are not visible to the naked eye. In addition, some infected people are asymptomatic or asymptomatic, making it difficult to judge whether the person we contact is the source of the infection.
The health sector is not ready for this new disease and is still developing vaccines to prevent its spread. Therefore, the best prevention we can take from now on is to stay away from other people. However, responding to early age school graduates quickly and effectively is important to avoid further damage to the education sector which also impacts the economy.
Many countries have yet to decide when schools should reopen, while other countries have initiated distance learning programs either through online classes or through modular education systems to continue children’s education.
Facilitating online courses is a great strategy for furthering your education at home. This offers security and social distancing for teachers and students, as they don’t have to walk out their door. All you need is a computer and an internet connection to communicate with each other.
Unfortunately, many students were unable to participate in this new teaching method because they did not have access to the necessary resources. In developing countries, more than 50% of students do not have access to a computer or internet connection to use for school work. In fact, some don’t even have electricity in their homes.