The closed of schools due to novel coronavirus has cause problems as many school system around the world are struggling to educate students.

back to school

Some go by giving them work packets; others shifting to online lessons and a few providing other virtual resources.

This is all necessary and appropriate, as school leaders struggle to deal with this pandemic.

But let’s not forget that while virtual schooling can play an important role in the education of many students, most online lessons are a poor substitute for in-person schooling.

School leaders will be the first to tell you this.

There are a many reasons however why this is the case.

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Let us take a look at 5 of these reasons:

Lack the infrastructure

Most school systems lack the infrastructure, materials, or expertise to teach virtually. Indeed, research has shown that a lot of schools are still not providing any instruction.

Access to technology

Millions of children don’t have access to technology at home. For example, in Nevada, the nation’s fifth-largest district, estimates that 72,000 of its 320,000 students still lack connectivity, even after the district purchased 46,000 devices.

Unprepared for the task

Vast numbers of teachers feel ill-equipped for the challenge. An expert report noted few couple of weeks that 57% of teachers say they don’t feel prepared to “facilitate remote learning” and just one in five said school leaders were providing guidance on how to proceed.

Limited appetite

Children have a limited appetite for hours of computer-driven instruction. In an unsurprising finding, Kaplan has reported that 71% of parents worry that kids working remotely are “distracted from their schoolwork by social media apps and video games.

Most parents are not qualified

Working parents feel squeezed, out-of-work parents have to worry about educating their kids while figuring out how to pay rent, millions of kids are stuck in unsafe home environments, and teens are showing a reluctance to abide by social distancing guidelines, which seem endless. And, of course, it’s tough for communities and local economies to regain anything like a normal rhythm until kids are physically attending school.

For all of these reasons, it’s imperative for schools to reopen as soon as is safely possible.

Frequently asked questions by parents

It is quite true that things are difficult for both parents and children during this pandemic.

The reopening of schools is no doubt an important and a hopefully welcome step, but as parents I am sure you may have lots of questions that need to be address.

Below you will find a number of these questions which is frequently asked by parents and also get some tips on how to support your kids as they plan on going back to school.

What should I do if my child is struggling to get back into “school mode?”

Remember that your child will be dealing with the stress of the ongoing crisis differently from you.

Create a supportive and nurturing environment and respond positively to questions and expressions of their feelings.

Show support and let your child know that it’s not only okay, but normal, to feel frustrated or anxious at times like this.

Help your children to stick to their routines and make learning playful by incorporating it into everyday activities like cooking, family reading time or games.

Another option could be joining a parent or community group to connect with other parents who are going through the same experience to share tips and get support.

What should I do if my child has fallen behind?

Students around the world have shown just how much they want to keep learning.

They have persisted with their lessons under difficult circumstances, with the support of their dedicated teachers and parents.

But many children will need extra support to catch up on their learning when schools reopen.

Many schools are making plans for catch-up lessons to help bring students back up to speed.

This might include starting the year with refresher or remedial courses, after-school programmes or supplemental assignments to be done at home.

Given the possibility that many schools may not open full time or for all grades, schools may implement ‘blended learning’ models, a mix of classroom instruction and remote education.

Give extra support to your child at home by creating a routine around school and schoolwork. This can help if they are feeling restless and having trouble focusing.

You may want to contact your child’s teacher or school to ask questions and stay informed. But be sure to let them know if your child is facing specific challenges, like grief over a family loss or heightened anxiety due to the pandemic.

What questions should I be asking my child’s teacher or school administrator?

During such a worrying and disruptive time, it’s natural to have a lot of questions.

Some helpful ones you may want to ask include:

What steps has the school taken to help ensure the safety of students?

How will the school support the mental health of students and combat any stigma against people who have been sick?

How will the school refer children who may need referrals for specialized support?

Will any of the school’s safeguarding and bullying policies change once schools start to re-open?

How can I support school safety efforts, including through parent-teacher committees or other networks.

What precautions should the school be taking to prevent COVID-19 virus from spreading?

School reopenings should be consistent with each country’s overall COVID-19 health response to protect students, staff, teachers and their families.

Some of the practical measures that schools can take include:

Staggering the start and close of the school day
Staggering mealtimes
Moving classes to temporary spaces or outdoors
Holding school in shifts, to reduce class size

Water and hygiene facilities will be a crucial part of schools reopening safely.

Administrators should look at opportunities to improve hygiene measures, including handwashing, respiratory etiquette, physical distancing measures, cleaning procedures for facilities and safe food preparation practices.

Administrative staff and teachers should also be trained on physical distancing and school hygiene practices.

Is it safe for my child to go back to school?

Schools should only be reopened when it is safe for students.

Going back to school will likely look a little different from what you and your child were used to before.

It’s possible that schools may reopen for a period of time and then a decision may be made to close them again temporarily, depending on the local context.

Because of the evolving situation, authorities will need to be flexible and ready to adapt to ensure the safety of every child.

Even if leaders in your area have not yet decided to reopen schools, it’s crucial that they begin detailed planning now, to help ensure students, teachers and other staff are safe when they return and communities are confident in sending their students back to school.

Conclusion

Life during COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for parents and children alike.

I hope these frequently asked questions will help you in your decision of sending your child to school.

Do you have any other question you may want an answer to, let us here from you in the comment space below.