Corona Virus Hits Education. What Are The Solutions?

December 29, 2020

Articles

COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic has caused a record crisis in all spheres of life. In the field of education, the coronavirus outbreak may be the biggest disruption in history. This crisis has hit hard many schools, colleges, and universities worldwide, leading the countries to adopt the massive closure of face-to-face activities of educational institutions at all levels to prevent the spread of the virus. This new phenomenon gave rise to the concept of distant learning with or without the use of technology.

The curve isn't flattening yet. The U.S. is still in the midst of the crisis. Keeping in view an alarming increase in the COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving holidays and the prediction that the trends are expected to worsen in January at the time when students normally return to campus after the winter holidays, some U.S. school districts recently announced that they are going remote again. Similarly, ten states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have state-ordered full or partial closures in effect.

The curve isn't flattening yet. The U.S. is still in the midst of the crisis. Keeping in view an alarming increase in the COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving holidays and the prediction that the trends are expected to worsen in January at the time when students normally return to campus after the winter holidays, some U.S. school districts recently announced that they are going remote again. Similarly, ten states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have state-ordered full or partial closures in effect.

education

Let's look at how educational institutes can keep the contagious virus at bay and cope with the pandemic's abnormal conditions.

While campuses are closed, the schools and colleges should install new air purifying technologies that could eliminate airborne contaminants.
Adjust testing protocols, adding some rapid antigen tests bi-weekly for students, faculty, and staff on campus. More educational institutes must get the students tested before they come to campus rather than when they arrive.
Have smaller class sizes, that are, 20-30 percent of classes in person.
Educate children about the basic concepts of coronavirus prevention and control.
Administrators should make sure the students strictly follow the instructions on the appropriate and stricter protocols for handwashing, hand sanitizing, face covering, covering sneezes and coughs with their elbows, maintain at least 2m distance, and self-isolating if they are experiencing any symptoms of coronavirus. Schools should carry out daily disinfection and cleaning of school surfaces.
Thorough contact tracing can be done in the schools.
The sick students should be made to stay at home.
In the context of educational institutes' necessary closures, different forms of online education and education resources should be mobilized.
While some universities have robust online systems, smaller universities may struggle due to a lack of resources. In such a case, streaming lessons on T.V. is more appropriate for very young students.
Educate the students on how to cope with the stigma associated with COVID-19 infection. Encourage them to speak their hearts out.

Takeaway:

Education being the hardest hit sector by the pandemic, requires special focus and attention for mitigating the effect of the virus. As the situation may demand, the educational institutes can stay open, shut down, or go hybrid. However, it should be kept in mind that while the protection of the students is of prime importance, minimizing disruption is equally important for maintaining the smooth flow of education. If taken in the right direction, precautions, and safety measures can prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in campus settings and make way for uninterrupted education for all.

However, rather than feeling grieved over the holidays lost, we can think of those millions of people who lost their lives at the hand of COVID-19, and of our own near and dear ones whose life is at stake. A little care shown today can make us find our way back to the vibrant celebrations in the years to come. Let's modify our holiday plans this Christmas to keep the menace of COVID-19 at bay.

Read more onReducing The Spread of Covid-19 in Workplacesto know how you can manage to have a safe environment. Additionally,you can book an appointment with the Truecare24 consultantto discuss solutions for safety against COVID-19.