WATCH: Resources for students to learn from home
The national lockdown is affecting various sectors which includes education. Even though schools were closed for the period 18 March – 9 April, students have had to continue with their studies from their homes.
This has been done through online digital channels like video and social media platforms. However, many homes in south Africa have limited access internet data that would be needed to stream or download lessons or learning materials, as well as limited resources such as tablets and laptops, or even those that are up to date with the latest software.
Resources at home
As a way to cushion the blow felt by students who don’t have access to internet services, the Department of Education has rolled out educational resources that are accessible through partnerships with tech companies and traditional media.
These include: 2Enable App, MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, Telkom, SABC and DSTV, Nal’ibali.
Through these channels, students are able to access learning materials freely wherever they are. These learning materails are in the 11 official languages in South Africa. The resources also include sign language and storybooks, as well as learning guides for parents who are now finding themselves having to facilitate this education. These resources can be accessed here:
https://education.gauteng.gov.za/Pages/index.aspx
While there are some initial kinks, this is an incredible leap that has been made in terms of providing access to education for children across the country.
Schools reopening
Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa also announced that there would be a phased reopening of schools, the details are yet to be announced. There a number of concerns with this because of the various challenges that schools were already facing such as overcrowding, especially those in impoverished areas. May have voiced concerns that this may compromise social distancing measures currently in place.
Many others on the other end of this debate feel schools must be opened especially that schools are the heart of feeding programmes. This is partly being addressed to some degree through the increase of child support grant per child by R300 in May, and R500 per parent from June.
The announcement of further details is highly anticipated in the coming weeks, as it was announced in the president’s address on 23 April that the first phase of reopening of sectors in South Africa will commence on 1 May.
