It’s a daunting time for parents here in the Kalahari as the class of 2020 gets back to the drawing board after schools have been closed for nearly two months due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Life during the coronavirus pandemic is difficult for parents and children alike.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has released a framework document to guide governments who are planning to reopen schools.
Over the past couple of weeks some countries such as Norway, Japan and China have officially reopened their schools. In Denmark and Norway classes are held outside. Playgrounds and many school libraries are closed. In France, classes have been limited to 10 students for preschools and 15 students for other age groups. Selected high schools across Germany reopened earlier May so that seniors could take their final exams.
Taiwan is widely seen as a success story in how it has responded to coronavirus. Schools never officially closed in Taiwan. They extended their winter break by 10 days in February in order to disinfect education facilities, distribute medical supplies, and implement new procedures for schools with confirmed coronavirus cases.
Schools in Taiwan now conduct temperature checks, and some have employed plastic tabletop desk partitions as an added security measure.
Unicef says one should create a supportive and nurturing environment and respond positively to questions and expressions of your children’s feelings in these uncertain times.
Another option could be joining a parent or community group to connect with other parents who are going through the same experience to share tips and get support.
