Fingers crossed
The novel coronavirus pandemic has left us with difficult choices to make. With its second wave not yet over, there are already murmurs of a third around the world. Meanwhile, the virus continues to mutate. Reports of cases from the new strain that developed in the UK suggest that children, previously believed to be safe, may now be susceptible. The situation around the even younger Brazilian strain is much murkier at the moment. While there are now a few options of vaccines, how effective they will actually be remains to be seen. With these developments in mind, total shutdowns no longer seem to be tenable. We are already in the midst of the worst recession the world has seen for decades and there is only so much we can sustain in terms of further slowdown. Routine life must continue, albeit with the utmost precaution.
Worldwide and in Pakistan, education has been one of the worst disrupted sectors due to the Covid-19 crisis. Where there was once only optimistic talk of distance learning, the pandemic has forced most countries to put theory to the test. The results have been far from ideal, especially for nations like Pakistan. The Internet, especially of the high-speed variety, is still something of a luxury in most middle-to-low income countries. So are the devices that can access it. While the well-off can make sure their children have a laptop, tablet or cellphone to take online classes, those struggling to make ends meet cannot. Layoffs and pay cuts have also had the effect of adding more people to the latter segment.
Beyond access to technology, there are teething troubles with ensuring a classroom discipline through virtual means. This has been especially true for younger students. In the absence of direct supervision, holding exams and assessments has been no easy task either. The direct grading option comes with its own set of controversies. And then there are the teachers, left with the shortest end of the stick in many ways. In Pakistan especially, where the notion of work-life balance is still an afterthought, the workload teachers face has increased by a heavy margin. As the government moves ahead with its plans to open schools, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed. An indefinite closure, however, could ultimately do more harm in its own way.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2021.
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