The effectiveness of Alternative Teaching Learning in developing Countries
Background
Whenever we say or refer formal education at schools,
everybody understands the scene where both students and teachers are physically
presented. However, some institutes in developed countries like USA China and
other many European Countries have already the provision of alternative education
simply the distance/online mode, it was out of the imagination for poor and
least development countries. But the scenario of Covid-19 confidently projects
the emergence of alternative Teaching Learning at School. The south Asian
countries like Pakistan and Nepal have realized the obligation of alternative
mode of teaching.
Discussion
Online Classes have emerged as one of the major alternatives
to the regular physical based teaching learning at schools. But the reality is
I heard about one university as called the Cyber University in 2010 where all
the academic teaching and learning goes ahead online. I was amazed at that time
listening about the Cyber University. It means the people of least developed
countries cannot welcome the online education system easily even though there
is the availability of required infrastructure. To another side, the poorer
people in village and mountain areas do not have excess of electricity,
internet and computer/smart phones.
In addition to the lacking of resources, people are not aware
to be exposed with the alternative teaching and learning of their children. The
overall scenario of Covid-19 discouraged people to that extent all most all the
nations have been implemented lockdown for a specific period of time at least a
month. The world super powers the United States also remain pathetic in case of
many aspects of society and people. The health and education sectors were severely
distracted and squeezed. The schools remain lockdown for more than 6 months in
most of the countries of the world. The demarcation and psychologically discriminated
ideology and behavior are totally discouraged.
The hope and belief of school children has dipped down as
they are the witness. The miserable condition of researchers, scientists and
doctors has confirmed that they are raising up their hands in front of
Covid-19.
In this context, the application of alternative teaching and
learning should be adopted. But the situation matters. Teaching learning in the United States and
China online interactive classes would become the best solution. It can also be
implemented in all the European Countries.
The UNESCO has recommended 5 very important tips to harmonize the present context of schools and families.
a. It is always important to plan a routine together. The parents should also engage in the reading and learning of their kids because they really require this.
b. The second important thing is we often should encourage our kids to have open communication. Let them free from any confusion and dilemma. Once parents are open enough and friendly then more than 80% confusion of the kids automatically remove.
c. Third important thing that you need to do is please start from a very short span of time because it is always easy to say but to practice difficult. Start it from 10 minutes in the beginning then you can make it 1-2 hours in the long run.
d. As the good and responsible parents we cannot just leave our kids with Internet for a long time or always. We should guide them properly on how to use the Internet. There are many pros and cons of Internet that every child has to know and understand it.
e. We need to stay in touch with many other direct and indirect stakeholders of our children education. For example, Schools, Teachers, Freelancers, Researchers, Psychologists etc.
The case of developing and so called poor nations, the
alternative teaching from schools is almost impossible because in all the
public schools there is not the appropriate environment. The teachers are permanent
in their job nature; the obligation to fulfill the duty and responsibility is
very low. So the Covid-19 may be the cause to pretending.
There are some way outs or we can use alternative teaching
and learning. Mainly for the developing and so called poor countries, the classes from Mass Media like Radio and TV can be very useful. At least the classes from
radio can become the best options to continue education and teaching all over
the world. Now a day, many FM Radio Stations are providing their services being
available at local and regional zones.
Conclusion
The disturbance caused by Covid-19 is not a problem in itself.
There are other variables which contribute to create bigger pandemic in the
society. The education sector is not untouched from it. People were motivated
and forced to stay in their houses until 6 months but the time has come to
check alternatives and adopt the best. Once school children are distracted from
the natural teaching learning for a long duration of time then it will
certainly have long lasting consequences. It has already become late to start
the online classes, the classes from mass media Radio and TV whichever is more
appropriate and suitable.
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