Since the begin of Covid-19 pandemic, schools have been making use of a rotational attendance system that seemed good at the time, but we are quickly figuring out that it is not ideal.
The rotational systems seems to undermine the process of learning at schools all over the country, and education authorities are suggesting that learners return to school full-time as soon as possible
Upon this suggestion being made, it has been found that middle to upper-middle class schools have actually been allowing learners to attend full-time, while lower class schools have to deal with the problem of overcrowding and not being able to return full-time.
Felicity Coughlan, Director of Independent Institute of Education, says:
One of the first problems that we have got is the inequalities in the country, from a crack, have turned into a chasm.
The rotational attendance system lessens the level of education of the learners, and is proving to create developmental issues for children.
Learners are not developing focus and concentration as needed and the lack of social interaction is leading to children not picking up natural social skills. Children are no longer allowed to play and socialize with one another which is crucial for their development.
Coughlan says:
You have a whole year now, with small children who are going through very important developmental stages, are simply not able to get the focus that they need.
Suggestions have been made to restructure the school terms so that there is on break in between leading to learners being rotated in a more sustainable fashion.
The Education Department has made the decision to strip away non-essential parts of the curriculum to make it easier for learners and teachers, but this seems to only be creating gap in the education of the learner.
Things like math and reading require day-to-day development and there are long term consequences that are going to be faced by both the Department of Education and school children if the current rotational attendance system remains.
