08 Nov 2020

A study conducted by the United Nations has revealed that COVID-19 virus has created the largest disturbance on the education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries across all continents.

Not only is education a fundamental human right, but is described as an enabler with impact on the realisation of all other human needs.

In order to mitigate the potentially devastating consequences of the pandemic, Young 1ove Organisation, which mainly focuses on delivering educational programs in-person, is now shifting to remotely teaching pupils and assessing their learning.

Young 1ove senior training officer, Ms Lorato Gaolebe said ‘research has shown that school closures have led to increase in dropout rates and long term risks and as an organisation we found it fitting to rise to the challenge from the pandemic to create learning programmes that meet the growing needs for safety focused innovations’.

Since the organisation’s approach to teaching featured dynamic learning environments with physical activities and high personal engagement, which would no longer be possible under the restricted movement phase, Ms Gaolebe said the next challenge was on how to adapt their programs to text and call-based delivery methods.

Moreover, she said after reviewing their curriculum and soliciting feedback from parents, Young 1ove redesigned a learning plan that could be delivered via SMS.

“Using a bulk SMS service, Young 1ove texts academic questions to over 3 000 learners once a week. Enumerators use their own mobile devices to call parents weekly to check the answers, discuss any problems the pupils might have faced, and even provide instructions, guided by a survey that normally takes 20 minutes,” she said.

Ms Gaolebe further said at the program’s start, many families were hesitant to participate, but after strong demonstration of value and positive word-of-mouth, there was now a waiting list to sign up. Ends