Alternative schooling – The answer to COVID-19 and life beyond?
Neels Geertsema • August 19, 2020
Alternative Schooling might be the answer to COVID-19 and beyond. Here's my opinion.
The impact of COVID-19 and the national lockdown in South Africa on the 2020 school year of high school children is a burning issue in many homes throughout the country. Much has been said and written on this topic. What the exact extent of this impact will turn out to be eventually remains to be seen, but what cannot be denied, is the significant disruption of teaching and learning in by far the majority of schools.
Every parent, teacher and learner have felt the undeniable impact of having to find a way of preventing a whole school year of disappearing into oblivion. The success of these efforts range from quite successful, to utter failure. This naturally causes great anxiety for parent and child alike, particularly if the child is in matric, or grade 11 (the two years in which marks become crucial for university entrance).
Regrettably, when people become anxious, they tend to take desperate leaps; always with good intentions, but too often without having considered the correct information and more often-than-not, ending up worse than where they started from. In the same breath, it must be said that a well-researched change, could end up being the saving grace of both the child’s academic progress as well as the parents’ sanity.
In considering a change of schooling methods in these uncertain times, so-called “alternative schooling methods” become quite popular and the offerings suddenly abound in the market: home-schooling, online schooling, hybrid-teaching, international curricula, alternative curricula… what a minefield! Therefore, one will do well to consider the following three matters:
- Radically alternative
Although radical alternative measures seem attractive to get away from “the mess at my child’s school” or “the mess with the Department of Education”, measures such as moving to a purely home-based online offering where the parent magically has to step into the role usually fulfilled by 7 teachers, or even migrating to a non-South African curriculum sold to parents as the “key to international recognition” may not only be even more disruptive for the child, but could lead to unintended consequences further down the line, which could cost not only a lot of money to rectify, but even a year or two extra in school to meet tertiary institutions’ entrance requirements. In a worst case, yet all too possible scenario, your child could have to give up on his or her dream career because the qualification obtained at school is not officially recognized or even just simply below standard. It is important, however, for you to do more research on these alternative schools to weigh the pros and cons.
- The status quo
When considering the above pitfalls, one cannot be blamed for thinking that you are stuck with what you have. Yet, when it is obvious that the current set-up is failing a child, it is a sin not to act. Is keeping a school closed indefinitely during uncertain times serving my child? Surely not. Is it fair to my child to expect him to face this year alone, accessing material uploaded but without any support, or even ploughing through a myriad of websites suddenly claiming to be the oracle of wisdom on schooling? Is it helping my child to attend school only every second day, or week? When things go back to normal one day, where will the focus be of my child’s school: an improvement in marks to build a future, or all sorts of other activities? Will the online tools, currently being praised as the next best thing since sliced bread, just as easily be discarded when things return to normal?
- Alternative in the right areas
Once it has become clear that drastic steps can cause too much harm, but things cannot continue as they are at the moment either, the option that offers an alternative approach, but in the right areas and with the right focus, is clearly the right way to go. Excellent results in the nationally accredited examinations, officially allowing the child access to tertiary studies, are non-negotiable. A school with an alternative approach when it comes to all the “sideshows”, and rather a strong focus on what is important would be the ideal long-term solution. What is important for my child’s future: an approach to schooling that has not changed since being copied from the factories of the first industrial revolution? A senseless fixation on army style appearance rules combined with colonial standards, poorly camouflaged by unsubstantiated promises of effective discipline? A fanatical win-at-all costs extra-mural programme gobbling up an inordinate amount of time each day? Certainly not.
Parents should choose a school that focuses on academic improvement; that nurtures and supports the individual academically through the availability of teachers, even after hours; that guides young people in their career path and life choices through personal mentoring; that allows personal freedom but instills responsibility within a safe and caring environment; that possesses the ability to adapt quickly to global crises to ensure the leaders of tomorrow do not lose out on teaching and learning through no fault of their own; and a future-focused strategy to incorporate the lessons learnt of the COVID-19 lockdown to the continued benefit of its students.
A tall order? Yes. Alternative. Definitely, if doing the right things can be called “alternative”. Achievable? Absolutely! When considering the way forward for a child’s schooling to equip him or her with the tools to face tomorrow, the time has come for parents to start taking their own homework seriously.
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As the preliminary and final examinations approach, both students and parents or guardians often experience heightened anxiety and stress. This guide provides practical strategies to help parents and guardians support their children through this critical phase of their academic journey. 1. Foster Effective Organization Create an environment conducive to studying by providing a quiet, well-lit study space equipped with essential stationery. Collaborate with your child to develop a structured study timetable to set clear expectations and promote disciplined preparation. Encourage the use of resources such as past question papers, which serve as valuable tools for revision and practice. 2. Maintain Daily Check-Ins Schedule regular, intentional conversations, such as during dinner, to discuss your child’s progress. Inquire about their experience with the day’s examination paper, adherence to their study schedule, and their feelings about upcoming tests. These check-ins foster open communication and allow you to gauge their emotional and academic state. 3. Minimize Distractions Help your child stay focused by keeping electronic devices like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles out of reach during study sessions. Set boundaries on screen time and social media access to prevent procrastination. While challenging, limiting Wi-Fi access during study hours can significantly enhance productivity. 4. Support Emotional Awareness Encourage your child to identify and articulate their emotions, such as anxiety, stress, or fatigue . Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them effectively. Discuss coping strategies to help them navigate emotional challenges during this period. 5. Teach Self-Regulation Techniques Guide your child in practicing self-regulation to manage stress. Techniques include: Breathing Exercises : Inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and repeat. Sensory Focus : Identify five things they can see or hear to ground themselves in the moment. Tactile Stimulation : Hold a cold object to shift focus and reduce anxiety. These methods can help your child regain calm and focus during stressful moments. 6. Promote a Balanced Routine Prolonged study sessions late into the night can lead to burnout. Monitor your child’s study habits and encourage breaks to maintain balance. Plan activities such as outings with friends, a family meal, or short recreational periods with access to devices. Engaging in non-academic activities, like helping prepare dinner, can provide a refreshing change of focus. 7. Prioritize Self-Care Support your child’s well-being by ensuring they: Eat nutritious, regular meals. Get at least eight hours of sleep by limiting screen time before bed. Engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, dancing, or gym workouts. These practices help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common during examination periods. 8. Practice Empathy and Patience The examination period can be emotionally taxing for both students and parents. Approach your child with empathy, actively listening and offering guidance without criticism. This fosters a supportive environment, bolstering their mental health and sense of inclusion. By implementing these strategies, parents and guardians can play a pivotal role in helping their children navigate the challenges of examinations with confidence and resilience. Good luck to all the Grade 12 students with the upcoming examinations - you most certainly can do it!
