BY R.D.
This blog is part of our series and opinion on quality of life, public safety, awareness, resilience, and accountability
The humanity of education:
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in extensive ramifications that extend beyond the mere transmission of the disease and efforts to implement quarantine measures or maintain social distancing.
Although I lack expertise in this field, I will endeavor to uncover several previously concealed issues and assess how they relate to the virus.
coronavirus under the microscope.
Numerous individuals have experienced unemployment, leading to the closure of businesses and a significant decline in sales. However, I expect the widening gap to be even more harmful, especially for those already facing economic challenges.
The ramifications of over a million deaths and an estimated 50 million illnesses remain uncertain, as the number of infected individuals continues to increase, according to medical experts.
Unfortunately, many low-income families in impoverished communities in poor and developing countries lack access to the global distance learning space, preventing them from catching up to the wealthier towns, counties, and states in these school districts.
In some regions, due to a high student-to-teacher ratio, many of these educational systems are already overcrowded, low-performing, and run-down, making them unsafe for both students and teachers. Students in several of these educational systems were required to attend classes in the morning and afternoon shifts.
A nonprofit organization with whom I have worked visited several of these schools, offering students workshops on bullying, resilience, school attendance, and even supplies.
Today’s teachers may confront difficulties not just with supplies and mentors, but also with students who skip class to help their parents.
Unfortunately, this pandemic may offer another excuse for students to avoid school, which could further impede their progress because they may not always have access to the internet to check in.
The pandemic has revealed the fragility of economies and the neglect of education.
According to experts, these students will miss out on the critical face-to-face socializing process for a child’s development until the global health pandemic has passed.
Several schools that followed social distancing and masking recommendations were forced to close owing to new infections, according to reports.
The COVID-19 Geopolitical Landscape
While communities debate the best course of action to mitigate the effects of science, politics, vaccination, and equitable distribution of resources.
The reality is that for many impoverished countries, this is still a complex issue, and some students may not be able to return to school due to a lack of critical resources.
Not all regions have the required resources, such as appropriate space, ventilation, and technologies, to alleviate some of the potential educational losses.
Many people will oppose vaccinations for cultural, religious, and mistrust reasons, fearing they will be used in their development.
Hunger, poverty, and malnutrition are the other hidden pandemics that are killing millions of people. Sure, COVID-19 needed attention, but what next? How will society balance these issues?
Beyond the vaccine, science, and politics.
COVID-19 exists in two worlds: one is behind a camera or computer screen, hidden in places like a kitchen counter, a cafe, or a corner office, while the other exists beyond articles and opinions, although it may not be directly related to a teacher’s engagement.
Photo by Julia M Cameron
This new normal of distance learning—whether hybrid, behind a camera, with a computer screen tucked away on a kitchen counter, at a cafe, or in a corner office—represents a renewed struggle between the haves and the have-nots.
Despite political debates and promises about the COVID-19 stimulus package, there has been no accountability or mismanagement of funds, as reported.
Many areas have seen distribution along political lines, with the fun lasting only as long as a trip to the local grocery store for those who needed it the most.
As a result, many future local elections will be won or lost based on the amount of money distributed, with overall pandemic management becoming lost in these debates.
Unfortunately, many politicians excel at winning elections before they understand the difference between campaigning and governing. Government is about getting things done, which is far more difficult than being a politician.
We assign some people more work than they can handle because they create the impression of having the necessary skills, but their ability to assist and make progress, particularly in poor and developing nations, is limited.
The issuance of tablets by various political leaders in impoverished and developing regions is a positive development, but it is important to note that there are still ongoing challenges and obstacles to overcome. The lack of internet access and limited financial resources exacerbates the situation.
Photo by Roberto Nickson
Many of these leaders failed to recognize the technological and educational gap, which is especially important for many poor and developing countries, which can no longer wait for recycled or older computers to become competitive. The wisdom of these students goes beyond the dial-up mentality that has held several communities back.
Experts in the field of technology say that while these devices can be used to access education from a distance, they lack a keyboard and mouse, have a slow processor, and have limited research capabilities. Increasing numbers of young people are abandoning the classroom searching for a better life on the streets.
The ongoing pandemic has demonstrated the value of education in encompassing individuals from all backgrounds, irrespective of their race, gender, creed, culture, or socioeconomic status. It has also highlighted the significance of fostering a sense of unity and compassion, ultimately promoting social cohesion.
The economic reality cannot be ignored.
When it comes to uploading and downloading life’s journey, poverty is like dial-up internet, and it has held many students back.
According to experts, COVID-19 has already begun to have an impact on academic achievement. Students have been failing at an alarming rate since COVID-19, according to reports. A recent test resulted in lower math, reading, and science scores.
Before COVID-19, many poor and developing countries were struggling and risking high tides across the perilous ocean as refugees looked for economic anchorage in any empty classroom.
Photo by Ahmed akacha
These systemic disparities emphasize the necessity of a new fiber-optic connection that integrates hunger, education, and the pandemic into a cohesive long-term social contract, akin to the bundled services offered by local cable companies, which include broadband internet, television, and telephone.
The World Bank reports that the middle class has also been significantly impacted, facing a troubling long-term reality characterized by anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, with expectations of rising poverty levels.
Experts estimate that the pandemic will push between 70 and 80 million individuals into deeper poverty. Before the pandemic, notable disparities existed in various sectors, such as education, employment, and access to quality, affordable healthcare.
Is studying on campus merely a budgetary concern?
As previously mentioned, affluent school districts possess the necessary resources and have adopted effective strategies that encompass new technology platforms, enhanced internet speed, computers, and ongoing access, whether through virtual, in-class, or hybrid learning models.
Parents in these affluent districts are frequently more engaged, have more flexibility, and have connections that can influence the next learning platforms that work with their schedules.
And, while there are legitimate concerns about student and teacher safety, as evidenced by the teachers’ and their union’s picket lines, these are usually resolved through the school’s budget.
Even with access, this pandemic has devastated many families on the other side of the city, particularly minorities and people of color who have lost many family members as a result of this disease.
Healthcare disparities have resulted in more deaths in these communities, and any new classroom format, whether online or in person, will not fill the emotional sadness and gaps.
Who will be there to console a student who has lost a parent or another family member to the disease? In reality, COVID-19 has already widened the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
As experts pointed out, students unquestionably missed their senior proms, hanging out with friends, homecoming, and sports, all of which are critical to a student’s social and emotional needs.
But the pandemic’s impact will be measured by the gaps it leaves in society, not by these factors or political polls.
Despite political promises made by many leaders, such as a new potential vaccine, a reduction in death, and a return to some level of normalcy, the results for these students are not photo-ops; the effect will be judged later by test scores or other social issues they may have as a result of being excluded.
Furthermore, they will face further setbacks in their educational, social, and economic development; many may not even be vaccinated due to location, and access will remain a barrier.
As of today, I’m still hoping that things will improve. However, concerns have been raised regarding the accounting of COVID-19 donations.
According to sources, the only people who will benefit are leaders and those with connections, especially in many poor and developing places.
In addition, the investors’ shares of pharmaceutical companies skyrocketed, but one still must give credit to the scientist who has been working and got society to this point.
Today’s teachers wear many hats, including counselor, technical support, financial resource, and attendance advocate.
Teachers have a lifelong effect on schoolchildren, helping them believe in themselves, according to studies, but parents will continue to be the most influential individuals in a child’s education and development.
COVID-19 has thrown many teachers into an unfamiliar glass room, where everyone is watching, hoping to connect with students through their often foggy gadgets while managing 20-35 students’ attention.
The online environment complicates the recognition of each student’s unique strengths, weaknesses, and motivation levels, which are essential for maintaining engagement in a virtual setting. However, there is a trade-off concerning the risk of new infections, as the reactions of vaccines to emerging variants remain uncertain.
These students have no responsibilities but to wake up, log in, and participate. Nevertheless, I can see how many students’ grades may decline, even if they had a high GPA prior to the pandemic.
For a few days, the personal check-in was disguised.
I’ve been observing a few classes over the last three months and have come to realize just how difficult it is for teachers to adapt to this new normal.
COVID-19 exposure provides some parents who can afford to stay home with immediate access to their children, which is undeniably beneficial for the parents involved.
You get that “I’ll be right back” a lot when you’re wearing two hats, but I understand.
Even though I work in an environment focused on public safety and utilize cutting-edge technology, my nearly unlimited budget platform does present challenges. However, as the week went on, these challenges became more manageable, and occasionally someone entered this visual space, possibly a school counsellor or someone responding to parental feedback.
It is essential for students’ opinions—potentially shaped for a lifetime—to encompass discussions around political beliefs, socio-economic status, culture, race, national origin, and perceptions of how other groups are viewed, as well as the students’ own views on these groups.
There often exists a perception that some of these selective lectures convey a distorted version of history, with significant decades in our past or theirs being portrayed in an overly positive manner.
There is no need to be alarmed here, but it may point to broader intersectionality in our community and why there is a continued socio-economic and racial divide, but given the diversity, I remain optimistic.
Some teachers are extremely helpful and understanding, whereas for others, once the slide is completed, please check the folder to respond. What about those who may not have access to a closed online slide from that day’s class to refresh because their connection is at a McDonald’s, far from home?
Let us hope that COVID-19 does not further divide us once we are all vaccinated and can return to normalcy.
Many questionable PowerPoint sections will be crucial to their development outside of class, like at lunch, on the field, or walking to their locker.
Where is Mum when the internet connection is down?
Because of the pandemic, many people are unemployed, searching for a child, caring for their parents, becoming the breadwinner, looking for work, having no support when the WIFI goes down, and the list goes on.
These parents are entitled to additional assistance and resources, such as community groups. Even to help with a homework assignment, recognizing and respecting the fact that each family and child has unique needs is critical.
Many parents have taken on the role of substitute night teachers due to the overwhelming number of assignments and emails. How can they assist their child with homework if they are unable to explain the concepts being taught?
Experts warn that mental health issues among children, adolescents, and university students are increasing.
Signs of distress may include being more reclusive than usual, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, irritability on most days, and a lack of interest in activities they typically enjoy.
Parents should be aware of several pop-up learning platforms that provide free computers and dedicated support as alternatives.
They must investigate these resources, as they would with any sequence-based surveillance, laboratory studies, and epidemiological findings, to ensure they minimize financial burdens and adequately prepare their children for the future.
Additionally, there has been a rise in phishing attempts aimed at luring students away from virtual classrooms to inappropriate websites, and even the best internet security measures struggle to keep track of these sites.
I’m logging out for the day with reservations, but I’m still optimistic.
As society rebalances, I hope this pandemic provides a second chance for everyone to close these systematic gaps. Times are tough right now, but I am optimistic if we prepare with a new balanced approach because education belongs to humanity, not a country.
