PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL IN THE COVID-19 ERA.

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PREPARING PUPILS FOR THE "NEW NORMAL" IN RURAL GHANA.

It is worth noting that the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought with it several effects on almost everyone in the world, including students of all ages. With all schools in the country been closed down as a means of minimizing the spread of the pandemic, students have been at home for quite a long time now solely relying on online teaching avenues for learning, that is if they get access to any at all depending on where one is located. 

Some teachers also organize teaching sessions with pupils using WhatsApp chats, Zoom, Telegram, and other means through which they can get their students some knowledge so that their time out of school becomes useful.

These online classes which are helping in a way are however not benefiting the whole students in the country since it's not every student that gets access to these online opportunities, especially those in the rural communities. This means that students in the urban areas who have these opportunities would adapt easily to changes in how teaching and learning better than those in rural areas when school resumes

Now the question is, how can we make sure all students, irrespective of location adapt to new trends in teaching and learning when school resumes?

I am of the view that with intensive public education, community sensitization, and stakeholder consultations, we can get our educational system back on track. 

The following are a few suggestions that could be adopted to help achieve the above-mentioned goals. 

1. Community durbars must be held to educate parents on the need to encourage their children to attend school all the time when school 

2. The government must disinfect all schools to help prevent the spread of the disease.
3. The number of pupils in a classroom should be reduced to at most 15 to make way for social distancing.

4. A shift system should be introduced so that all pupils will get a chance to attend school.

5. Pupils must be encouraged to abide by set safety measures in the school and at home at all times. 

6. Teachers must be given the necessary teaching materials to be able to deliver effectively.

I strongly believe that when these and other measures are put in place, within a short period of time, students, especially those in the basic schools will adapt to the " new normal" in education.

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