On May 1, the government announced that schools were to remain closed till September in a bid to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Without a doubt, this will be a challenging time, as it already has been, for many students, parents and teachers.  

With all this time at home, educators feel that students should use it productively and get into as many productive activities as possible.

Extracurricular activities

Julius Zigama of Gama Arts Rwanda says learners should use this time to get involved in extracurricular activities, especially when it comes to doing what they like most.

He cites outdoor games, saying that it’s important to stay physically active, and that parents should get involved too.

Such games, he says, include football, basketball, skipping, and badminton, treasure hunts, among others.

He says board games should also be included as they give the brain a boost.

"Board games train them to think fast and calculate,” he says.

Also, Zigama says, it is imperative to introduce learners to home gardening like horticulture, to get practical skills.

In addition to that, Zigama says it’s important to let them embrace other options online like music classes, entrepreneurship discussions, debates, and so on.  

Louis Grignon Ngabonzima, Project Assistant, Rwanda NCD Alliance, says learners should use this time to talk to their parents about Rwandan culture and the history of the country. 

He says parents should ensure their children take part in home-based activities, citing that our home is our first learning tool; therefore, using it productively is essential.

"If learners start doing house chores like cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes, this will surely lead to personal development,” he says.

Jane Nakaayi, the head of the department of languages at Riviera High School, shares Ngabonzima’s sentiments, saying that parents should encourage their children to assist with the work around the house.

Ngabonzima explains that a sedentary life is harmful to physical and mental health; and, many students consume food that may make them vulnerable to NCDs.

Sports will help in memory boosting, strengthening of the immune system, fighting psychological issues that may arise from staying home for an extended period of time, and lowering stress hormones.

Art projects

Zigama says that art can be a very interesting venture for young people, with lots to offer including drawing, painting and crafts making.

As a company, Zigama says they provide online customised projects and training for kids to work on, and that parents can also search for cool tutorials on the internet as well — not copy, rather get ideas.

Books

Jean Marie Habimana, the director of operations and partnership at Ready for Reading, a local non-governmental organisation in Eastern Province, says students should keep the brain active during this time.

How? He says parents should engage them in activities that help them learn, adding that helping them select books according to their age is important.

He notes that there are a lot of fun and educative books that students can read and get entertained, and at the same time, learn. 

However, he notes that depending on the age of the child, making the right choice of book is important.

Habimana says learners should utilise TV and radio programmes as scheduled, but also, continue learning beyond this.

Hang out 

In a way to avoid feeling lonely, Ngabonzima says students should socialise with others. He explains that this doesn’t mean going to visit their friends, instead, they can use different online platforms to hang out.

"Idea input, problem-solving can arise from socialisation and interaction among students,” he says.

Nevertheless, he notes that this unusual time could be used for gradual development of students.

Ngabonzima adds that students should always remember to observe COVID-19 preventive measures set by the government.