Students across the country would normally be preparing for the second term end of term examinations, commonly known as EOT, about now.

This, however, has not been the case as all schools have been closed in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic since mid-March. 

Schools remain closed and there is no current reopening timetable, giving parents the home-schooling role. But according to many, working from home and supporting their children’s schoolwork is not an easy task.

In this regard, experts believe that coordinated efforts from various players are needed to establish a sustainable solution to the quality of education, as students continue with home-schooling. 

The call comes after the latest outlook of the African Development Bank (AfDB) indicated that educational outcomes in the East African region are going to be dampened by the Covid-19 crisis.

For instance, the report showed that the closure of schools and universities has affected close to 90 million learners of whom 49 per cent are girls.

"While school closures seem to present a logical solution to enforcing social distancing within communities, it could create longer-term human capital issues for East African economies, widen learning inequalities, and hurt vulnerable children and youth disproportionately — particularly girls who may never return to school even after schools reopen.  It is estimated that East African countries are likely to experience a Covid-19 effect of at most 10 per cent of a standard deviation on educational outcomes,” the report reads in part.

Even though there is little expectation that parents are able to replace teachers, many schools provided learning packages when the lockdown started, and some schools are trying to run online, for this, they are relying on parents to supervise their children.

But what is more important, experts say, is maintaining a degree of normality, rather than worrying about a child’s progress in certain subjects.

"We encourage parents to help their children create regular routines and study habits,” says Dr Irénée Ndayambaje, Director General of Rwanda Education Board (REB).

On the other hand, "Recreating the school environment is really tricky,” Cherish Nkurunziza, teaching at Kigali City School, observes.

However, she adds, there are things a parent can do to make the experience relatively rewarding and stress-free.

"Parents can set a routine for their children, if possible have them dress at a certain time and convince them that it is time for studying. Identify a time when they help children with assignments.”

What are the sources available?

According to REB, various incentives have been put in place to ensure that no student is left behind as a result of the school closures.

Some of the developments launched include an e-learning YouTube channel, 40 minute TV lesson discussions on various broadcasting channels — each targeted at specific age groups — covering maths, science and English, as well as subjects including history and geography.

Also, experts believe the innovations teachers use during the outbreak may lead to lasting change, with technology playing a bigger role in schools in the future.

But advances in e-learning must not leave the educationally disadvantaged behind.

As a result, REB delivers lessons through radio and television for students who don’t have access to e-learning platforms during the crisis.

Out of the classroom

Besides missing lessons, Maurice Twahirwa, head teacher at APADET, points out that it is important to remember that school has a social function for children. As it is with adults, children’s relationships with their friends are heavily restricted by lockdown regulations.

Keep up communication with the school and encourage children to keep in contact with their friends as much as possible — something with which younger children may need more encouragement and support. 

"Parents should also try using this time to help children acquire life skills, such as duties around the house. Make the most of the opportunity to talk to each other more, for example by trying to have a meal together every day.”

Guidance from teaching unions, according to BBC, suggests children do no more than three hours’ work a day.

However, Twahirwa is of the view that parents should not worry too much about how much time the child spends learning: "It’s much better to have a really successful hour where the child enjoys the work, than a whole boring day.”

It is important to know when to take a break, he adds, "If the student is no longer attentive like at the start, don’t rush it.”

"Children won’t remember finishing that geography homework, but they will remember how it made them feel and what the vibe in the house was like,” he asserts.

When will schools re-open?

There is currently no timetable for children to return to school in the country, but the Education Ministry earlier announced that it would be in September.

Speaking to Education, Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, said that the plans to announce the timetable were in the pipeline as he encouraged students to keep track of their academics.

"The development is dictated by the health status in the country,” he said in a phone call interview.