The occurrence of COVID-19 has seen schools temporarily closed, and learners at home until further notice. With no social activities going on anymore for a while, as a way to cope with this, GAMA ART Rwanda offers students with an interest in fine art and music an escape. GAMA ART classes are online, with the aim to reach out to as many learners as possible. The programme is an ‘edutainment’ service for learners, individuals and others. It offers services from basic introduction to art, to a professional level. For younger children, it includes drawing, painting and craft art. Depending on what is easier or more convenient to learners, the company uses different platforms, including their website, YouTube, Skype, WhatsApp and even video calls. Through these platforms, classes are conducted in an interactive way. Students having trouble with traditional learning can take advantage of online courses. Net photo. According to Julius Zigama, an art tutor and the director, learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up. The service to young people, he says, creates and develops individuality, creativity, development of motor and language skills, visual learning, decision making, and even cultural awareness in them through different classes provided. For teens and adults, Zigama says the service provides professional art services, and interactive artistry skills to keep them busy and create an imaginary mind in them, especially during this time when they are indoors. The company provides advisory services about arts — free of charge — and delivers art materials to doorsteps when needed. In so doing, Zigama says young people are able to achieve the necessary skills, even when restricted. How effective is this? Due to different geographical settings, and the different networks that are sometimes not stable, Zigama says, they use various platforms that everyone can access without difficulty. Where necessary, even tutorials are used. To ensure all the targeted learners are reached, he says they carry out social media marketing and promotion. “We also do call-backs to individuals using different platforms in order to serve them properly,” he adds. Embracing e-learning Some say that wisdom comes with age while others insist that it comes from learning. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, learning is open to all. Hence, people having trouble with traditional learning can take advantage of online courses. Dr Christine Niyizamwiyitira, the head of ICT at Rwanda Education Board, applauds GAMA ARTS online classes, saying it’s a good initiative for learners in general, especially during this time when diversity is needed. She says it’s important to understand that there are also e-learning classes from the national competency-based curriculum, where students can learn through the help of teachers who are trained and are available any time. Here, she says, students can enrol for any course they want as all subjects are available, and do different class activities as they interact with teachers. E-learning has several subjects that students can access using the internet, or even download apps on their phones. Niyizamwiyitira says the Ministry of Education supports internet service providers like MTN, as content can be delivered at a zero rate bundle. The move, she says, starts effectively this week. “This is to ensure that all students are able to access the service without having to incur some charges, which is hard on a daily basis,” she says. Ronald Wandira, the head of the humanities department at Riviera High School and year leader—advanced level—at REB, says so far, e-learning has been effective to the people that understand its value. And that it offers the chance to have great results for lower costs and sometimes for no costs at all. The advantages Wandira says online learning (e-learning) has many other advantages. Education may have several purposes, and online courses help to fulfil them. In fact, some even say that e-learning can revolutionise education as it provides new opportunities for traditional learning. Everyone can access education no matter the location, experts say. Wandira says online learning helps to eliminate borders and barriers, both social and physical. “Online courses are a great solution to the challenges that people face as they are provided with high-quality education and, in their own place and time,” he says. The educator goes on to add that with this, learners can absorb whatever they want, and it allows them to study anything that triggers their curiosity. Comfort and flexibility Educationists believe that young students find themselves in a highly competitive learning environment. Some people like this as it motivates them to work hard, however, there are others that feel overwhelmed. Meanwhile, Wandira says it is easier at home as this makes people feel comfortable. He says this kind of learning helps to avoid long classes and uncomfortable classrooms. Further on, one can save time and cut the cost of commuting from home to the campus or any learning institution. “Another thing that a lot of people agree on is the fact that there will be no need to wake up early in the morning. Yet, keep in mind that in order to be successful it is important to leave your comfort zone,” he notes. Sharing knowledge It is common that when we learn something new we feel the need to share it with others. This is another purpose of education, sharing knowledge. In the case where course learners are part of a bigger community or network of people, like the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurs Competition, they can encourage others by sharing what they have learned from the free online courses, Wandira says.
