Home learning in lockdown creates safety nets from a distance

1/7/2020

When we think of distance learning during lockdown, the images that often spring to mind are interactive whiteboards, back-to-back digital lessons and a variety of personalised online programmes. In the situations where we work, there are many distinctive barriers to simply protecting and connecting with children during lockdown, let alone delivering effective learning opportunities, but our partners are rising to the challenge.

In slums and refugee camps, children are locked down in cramped conditions, with parents not furloughed or working from home, but totally cut off from the means to earn. Not only are children denied food and education, but they cannot access the child friendly spaces and social structures that are usually in place to keep them safe. Many organisations and media outlets have reported a steep escalation of violence towards children over lockdown.

In the first few months, our COVID-19 relief efforts quickly responded to immediate needs, providing over 10,000 essential food parcels to some of the most vulnerable households in Bangladesh, India, Lebanon and Uganda. As restrictions gradually ease, our focus is now turning to ensure safety and education for the children we work with.

With most of our Learning Centres shut down for months, and some expected to remain closed until next year, in every country where we work, our partners have been tenaciously and creatively maintaining their connection with children.

In the slum communities surrounding Jinja, Uganda, our social worker has continued one-to-one visits and we have provided extra phone credit for the teachers to keep in touch with families. As lockdown begins to ease, teachers are able to make doorstep visits at each household to discuss children's learning, give out home study materials and check in on their safety and wellbeing.

In response to a rise in child abuse over lockdown, Child Protection Teams have started socially distanced workshops on sexual and gender based violence, and counselling.

In Kyaka II refugee settlement, Uganda, there are nearly 5,000 Congolese refugee children that are currently unable to access early years education and protection because of lockdown. Partnering with Ubongo, we are piloting the broadcasting of early learning materials through a local radio station.

Children are also receiving a basic pack of educational resources and teachers are being trained to support them at home, alongside the radio programme.

In Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh we have gained permission to deliver three classes a day in teacher’s homes for three children at a time. Rohingya teachers have been trained in how to conduct home lessons and learning materials will be sent to their phones.

Children will not only learn Burmese, English, maths and life skills, but each child will be able to interact with their peers and their teacher every week. This will serve as a way to check in with children about their safety, wellbeing and family situation.

In Patna, India, our partners developed and sent an online curriculum to teacher’s phones, who gathered children within their area and taught them in small, socially distanced groups. Sadly from late June, because of increased virus transmission, these classes had to be stopped, but each teacher is now mentoring 10 families through the crisis. As COVID-19 cases have risen and child abuse has been on the increase, teachers are being trained on virus awareness, hygiene and health, domestic and child abuse and good parenting, so they can support families directly, alongside a newly developed online awareness programme.

Whether on the doorstep, on the phone, through radio airwaves or in teacher’s own homes, we are ensuring that communities can maintain a protective environment for their children throughout this pandemic. We are incredibly grateful for the generous support we have received over this time, which has made it possible for us to stay connected to the children who are most on the edge.

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