LockdownSA: Parents struggle to cope with new role of teaching from home

PARENTS thrust into the extra role of “home-school” educator due to the lockdown has left many a little discombobulated.

Added to the stress of being stuck at home with their children for far longer than expected, is the roll out from many of the schools, of distance learning plans to allow children to keep up with school-work while at home.

While many parents are trying to work from home as well, having to take on the additional role of teacher is daunting at best, and almost impossible for some. Juggling time at the computer between children and parents trying to work from home can add new dimensions to each family’s educational struggles during this time.

Many are now speaking of this situation of what parents and children are facing as “homeschooling”  isn’t easy. Those who were already schooling their own children from home would admit there is a big difference between what families are facing now out of necessity, and the homeschooling some may choose under normal circumstances.

Schools, like Westville Boys’ High School seems to have the distance teaching right and are adapting well to the changes, many other schools who are not equipped with the necessary technology are not as fortunate.

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Perpetual homework

While high school learners can often adapt to learning on their own, this isn’t as easy for primary school learners.

One parent we spoke to said if teaching her child at home was as simple as the schools seem to be suggesting she would have been homeschooling before lockdown.

“It’s really hard, and I’m afraid that expecting parents to suddenly become teachers overnight is going to mean many children are left with big gaps in their knowledge,” said the parent who asked not to be named because she was afraid it might reflect poorly on her children.

“I am so worried that if I admit I can’t do it then I am failing my child and my country,” she said. “I have a new found respect for schools and teachers, but I am also very angry that I have to do this myself now, and I just don’t know how.”

One learner described the work they are doing at home as “homework forever and ever” and said she felt like it was a never ending struggle to focus on what she should be doing.

Evangeline Thomassen, the Highway Mail‘s  junior blogger, said she agreed with that description despite the fact that she was faring rather well during lockdown with her own school work.

“I had one day when I just couldn’t get anything done and it felt like I had the worst homework ever,” she said. “It seems never ending and I struggle to get started because I can’t see when it will ever end.”

 

Online help

There are a variety of different online resources which parents can turn to for help during this time.

ALSO READ: Co-parenting lockdown regulations amended

Khan Academy,  provides free e-education to students around the world. Born out of the founder, Sal Khan’s tutoring of his own nephews via YouTube videos, it has grown into one of the largest online learning sites in the world and is even often used by teachers in classrooms.

To cope with lockdown, the site has created several resources for parents to help them navigate the added teaching duties they now face.  The activities online for children are from as early as pre-school right through to high school and are both fun and rewarding as learners can level up and win awards for achieving daily and cumulative goals.

As one of our sister publications, North Coast Courier describes in its story ‘How parents can become pro teachers during Covid-19’ by Penny Fourie.

“It’s one thing to entertain children all day on the weekends, however it’s an entirely different level when you have seven days a week to fill for an indefinite period of time.”

Fourie’s story includes links to many online resources to help parents keep children occupied during lockdown.

However, many parents might not have access to computers, or a good enough internet to make use of these online tools. And data is not cheap.

One thing is certain, these times are going to call for creative solutions to the problems facing many households.

Have your say

We would love to hear from our readers about both their struggles and coping mechanisms being used during this lockdown period to keep their children up to date with school work.

Perhaps some parents would feel less lost if they knew they were not alone in these challenges.

ALSO READ: #Covid19Lockdown: Durban psychologists step up offer of free mental health services

Other readers might even be educators and we would certainly love to hear from them about what advice they can offer our readers.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

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