Lockdown can be an extremely stressful time for learners and parents, particularly matrics, who fear they will not have enough time to catch up on work and prepare for their all-important end of year exams.
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette spoke to four public schools in our distribution area to learn about their strategies for learning under lockdown, the challenges they have faced and messages of support and encouragement for the matric Class of 2020.
Principal of Greenside High Nicola White said that educators used the final days of school to instruct learners concerning the steps to be taken during the extended break, primarily focusing on revision work.
Since the extension of lockdown, Whyte said that many teachers have become active on online platforms including Zoom, WhatsApp and Google Classroom, providing work for learners.
Whyte pointed out an advantage of lockdown: “Grade 12 learners have the luxury of time to undertake tasks like getting to know their home language and first additional language prescribed works inside out.”
Whyte said that there is no substitute quite as effective as face-to-face classroom interaction, however, the school is trying to focus on what is possible instead of dwelling on the negative.
“The situation in which we find ourselves can easily lead to a feeling of absolute disempowerment. Our most important message to our children is that they can, and they must, empower themselves by every means available to them.”
Deputy principal Maddie Brummer said, “I do believe the GDE [Gauteng Department of Education] will do everything possible to enable our learners to write the NSC exams in 2020.”
The school has 200 matric learners enrolled this year.
Head of Holy Family College Franc Sobreira reassured parents saying, “It is important that parents and learners must not panic… With guidance from the Department of Education and the Independent Examination Board, the school will ensure that a valid academic programme is put into place. During these difficult and uncertain times, we must not forget to keep to our main focus which is to be safe, stay at home, and keep healthy.”
Sobreira said that work packages prepared by educators were sent out via email, Google Classroom and WhatsApp to parents and learners. He also expressed appreciation for the educators at the school who showed creativity and energy in this regard.
He described the cost of data as a major hurdle to online learning, with many learners unable to submit work for feedback. Another challenge has been learners who struggle to focus on school work amidst distractions at home.
“Parents and learners have the responsibility to ensure that children make time every day to do some school work and engage with learning, do extension work such as research, revision (past papers) and reading.”
He encouraged learners to set up routines and parents to provide data for their children and manage the use of it with care.
Counselling has also been made available, especially for matrics who feel anxious at this time.
45 matric learners are enrolled at Holy Family College.
Acting headmaster at Parktown Boys’ Kevin Stippel explained that the school adopted a phased approach to learning under lockdown.
The first week of April was spent revising work from the first term, while educational videos were sent out from 14 April (until the end of the month) and educators availed themselves to answer questions. The third phase of live streaming of classes will be implemented if the lockdown is extended after April.
Stippel said that the school has sought to address the issues of access to data, internet connectivity and hardware by identifying boys without access and supporting them with sponsored data bundles where possible and using alternative ways of sharing information.
“There is a lot of upskilling that has happened and we continue to refine the programme as we move through the teething issues. We have also kept fully engaged with our parents who have been very supportive and assisted with constructive feedback,” said Stippel.
Stippel recommends that the 168 boys enrolled at the school set aside part of their day to focus on their studies and keep up to date with academic commitments. He also recommends taking time to exercise, be creative, develop new skills and spend quality time with family.
Stippel encouraged learners to refrain from panic and praised his staff team for their efforts.
Parktown High School for Girls
Headmistress of Parktown Girls Tracey Megom applauded learners and staff for their efforts to see learners engaging in online learning using multiple platforms.
“These girls have worked exceptionally hard for 11 years of schooling to get where they are now and we have a responsibility to ensure that they get the matric they deserve despite the current circumstances,” said Megom.
She also drew attention to the challenges concerning access to internet, data and devices for learners. The school has created a ‘Covid Fund’, the details of which are on their social media, appealing for donations of money or second-hand devices that can be used by girls during this time.
“Your donations will go a long way in helping a young girl continue her education at this difficult time.”
Megom advised the 206 matrics to take one day at a time. “Looking too far ahead can create a lot of anxiety due to uncertainty… There is so much good out there; so much hope and we need to embrace the ‘now’ to take advantage of that. One day at a time and we will still get to the end.”
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