Pakistan-Schooling in COVID-19

Whenever calamity hit Pakistan, education becomes first casualty. It’s in our dictionary that in every emergency, we close schools first then decide about other measures. In every disaster our first response was to close schools. In 2005 earthquake 90% plus buildings of schools were damaged in AJK & other cities & in floods of 2010/2011, 90% schools became camps of flooding communities. Again education suffered a lot and thousands of children remained out of school. In current situation of Corona virus, again education is at crossroads. Government has no any backup plan how to keep kids busy during such calamity like situation? Government only believes in temporary measures. This closure of schools setbacks that schoolchildren commonly experience in every emergency situation, can adversely affect academic growth. Millions of enrolled school children will suffer due to lockdown and other measures taken by the government. Students will suffer isolation while staying at home. Government has no any plan how to engage students during COVID-19. In other parts of the World, governments have engaged students through online classes and related activities. Suspension of exams is also another headache for the students because there preparation for exams will suffer. Uncertainty is surrounding exams timing and future course of action by the government.

These setbacks of future generation would be disastrous. Government need to be address this most important issue of schooling in COVID-19 situation. As our Prime Minister has again and again said that corona cases will may increase by mid of May and beyond. If situation worsen, then closure of schools will may go ahead. In addition, this dangerous situation will surely yield worse outcomes for students whose families are grappling with hunger, unemployment or homelessness. In this grim situation, government must support provincial governments to decide/chalk out strategy for engaging students from home & taking care of families whose parents are unemployed, facing hunger & related social issues due to COVID-19. Education departments with the support of provincial governments can chalk out proper strategy to face situation and keep students busy till corona virus situation come under control. If proper measures will not be taken then school’s dropout ratio may further increase. Parents will may deeply fall in category of chronic poverty and they not be able to send children to school, then loss will be uncontrollable. Our schools are already facing 120 million out of school children all around country. This loss will further increase because of chronic poverty. Child labor and other related issues will also increase. United Nations has already warned of increase in poverty due to loss of jobs, closure of factories, lockdown and other strict measures taken by the governments around the Globe. Unstable economies like Pakistan will greatly suffer, if virus situation continue for another three-four months. This is right time for the government to decide about the poverty of parents and future of the millions of school going children.   

Education department in Sindh have announced examination from June 15th, but do they have any backup plan if COVID-19 situation worsen? WHO & other International/National organizations have warned of peak of corona crisis till July. So at this stage conducting exams from June is looking impossible.  

Now when Internet access is possible almost everywhere in Pakistan, then online classes and examinations can be ultimate solution. In few remote districts of Sindh like Tharparkar, Umerkot, Jackobabd, students in pockets may not have access to Internet, but in almost 80% of areas have Internet facility. Remote rural areas students can benefit through provision of books at their doorstep. Education department need new style of education/teaching through online use. An effective teaching system through education experts will highly support. Education departments of the provincial government can operate from districts or centrally from provincial department. A control room can be settled in education department under the leadership of secretary education and team.

As federal and provincial Governments are now preparing budgets so this is right time to keep more funds (I suggest atleast 5% of budget at federal level and 20% at provincial level) for education to face the reality of pandemic. Children in schools and their poor families will get benefit. Poverty of parents of school going children can address through proper budgeting. Poor people will not hesitate in sending their kids to schools and dropout ratio will also come under control through proper measures. Government also activate/motivate Parents & Teachers committees to address COVID-19 crisis. In post COVID-19 situation schools needs motivation of students about regular health & hygiene practices. Schools should have proper toilet & wash facilities. Motivational education is required for students about health & hygiene issues. Government can involve civil society organizations at local level to help education department/schools for mobilization of communities. Now World is changing due to COVID-19 crisis. In developed countries, education department is conducting research studies to properly address post COVID-19 situation. Our education department also conduct research to properly address situation to save the future of the children.