Introduce e-learning in rural areas

Rural schools must be able to introduce online learning, writes XXX, from Olisiwinga College near Mzamba Mouth in the Eastern Cape. This is one of the first thoughts that come to XXX’s mind when he imagines a better life after Covid-19.

Coronavirus has blocked many plans, but we do know that it will over, and this is what I want to see when that day comes.

Laptops and ipads to assist our learning. For this to happen, we must have cellular network in our area for us to research school stuff freely and frequently.

What I will remember about Coronavirus is the deaths of people and the struggle we faced, the job losses of our parents and friends, the bravery our teachers showed us, the poverty at home and school, the crying families that did nothing, and the hope we had that Covid-19 is not here to stay. It’s just passing by to say hello South Africa!

And during this pandemic a lot has been done for us: the supplying masks, the schools providing soup kitchens, but we still need help with the supply of sanitisers and the building of clinics near us.

There should also be more security in the community and taverns should close because people are drinking and injuring themselves because of alchohol and take up space in hospital.

I|do think we can win the battle against Coronavirus, because in our community we practice social distancing, we wear our masks and stay at home when sick. I think by 2030 we will have won the fight.

But I don’t think everything will go back as it was before we will have found new ways of learning. Children are comfortable being few at school because they are free to talk, and I don’t think people will stop wearing masks or sanitising.

And I think we will realise the need to make our world better because of Covid-19 we will focus on the basic important stuff.

• This is an edited version of XXX’s  entry to Roving Reporters journalism themed writing competition, Life After Lockdown – The Future We Want

For adjudicators’ reference: Entrant  16_XXXXX

 

LIFE AFTER COVID-19 – THE FUTURE WE WANT

After the Covid-19 pandemic, will everything return to how it was before – or will we change how we live in the future? Will we realise the need to make this world a better place, both for people and for nature?

These are the key questions in Roving Reporters’ journalism-themed writing project, Life After Covid-19 – The Future We Want, catering the school learners in South Africa from from Grade 7 upwards.

The competition forms part of a broader reporting project supported by Super Save and Media Development and Diversity Agency.

“We are encouraging high school children to document their experiences of the pandemic and reflect on how they would like to see the world change for the better,” said Roving Reporters director Fred Kockott. “Reflection is a first step to change, and this project gives learners a voice and an opportunity to have some agency in how their future unfolds.”

We plan to run the competition through to the end of the school year, with a top entry published every fortnight.

Schools that wish to submit entries should click here to access the entry forms and writing guide to share with learners who wish to take part.

We encourage schools to use the writing exercise in ways that fit in with the Life Sciences, Life Orientation and English curricula.

For further information contact Fred Kockott on 083 277 8907 or email fredk@rovingreporters.co.za

Now read: Poet’s take on life after Covid-19: “We fell asleep in one world and woke in another”