Activists have called on government, through the Ministry of Education, to put in place easy-to-use distance learning tools for vulnerable students with no access to internet and smart devices, such as smart phones and computers, so they can benefit during lockdown. E-learning tools that have so far been introduced have created digital divide as vulnerable students fail to access. Schools were closed due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, and all students need equal opportunities, activists from Save the Children, an international non-profit organisation say. “We request the Ministry of Education to work with its partners to put in place easy-to-use distance learning tools as soon as possible, ensuring the technologies used aren’t excluding the poor, disabled or marginalised children. We need to get creative. In communities with little or no access to the internet, for example, radio programmes can enable children to continue their learning, or mitigate the consequences of not being in school,” the released statement reads. Due to the COVID-19 effects, they say most marginalised children will bear the brunt of unprecedented school closures around the world, therefore governments and communities must act now to ensure that millions of vulnerable children do not lose out on their education—as schools close their gates to try and contain the outbreak, warns Save the Children. More than 120 countries have already introduced nationwide school and university closures affecting nearly three-quarters of the world’s student population — an estimated 1.2 billion learners — according to UNESCO. That number is expected to rise as the coronavirus looks set to spread further. They call on governments to urgently ensure appropriate care is available to children along with inclusive remote learning, since closures will hit the most marginalised children hardest. “It’s also vital that governments support teachers and equip them with the skills to provide quality distance teaching.” The impact of school closures extends beyond disruption to education as they also carry other risks to marginalised children and children from low-income households. “We are facing an unprecedented situation. The number of children suddenly out of school or university is more than half of Rwandan population. Hundreds of thousands of students won’t be able to return to normal classes for weeks, or for months, possibly longer, with many important exams postponed or cancelled altogether. This has become a heavy load to families, especially those with little knowledge on positive parenting, and a terrible disaster to the children within these families,” says Paulin Ndahayo, Education Manager, Save the Children Rwanda Country Office. “We encourage parents and caregivers to continue to promote a culture of learning and reading. This quarantine period also presents a great opportunity for parents to spend time with their children in a productive and learning way,” he says. “We are committed to working with the Government of Rwanda, the Ministry of Education and Rwanda Education board, as well as other development partners, to find innovative solutions to ensure that children are both safe at home and continue to have access to learning resources, says Ms Maggie Korde, Country Director, Save the Children Rwanda. “Now is the time for Rwandans to pull together to protect the most at-risk children across the country who are going to be hit hardest by this global crisis. These include homeless children, children in care and children who may be living alone without parents or caregivers. Disabled children may be further isolated or neglected if they can’t go to school, as well as refugee children,” Korde says.
