The ‘grey’ in homeschooling during covid-19
I therefore made a resolution to give in the form of homeschooling all my siblings and rendering as much help as I can during these COVID times.
At the dawn of the coronavirus-induced lock down in Uganda, almost every group physical activity went virtual. Education was one such thing; schools committed to giving assignments throughout the lock down and parents were encouraged to help their children at home said assignments.
It might not have been a walk in the park for many parents to take on the teachers’ role, but it was surely about keeping the kids interested in studying for considerable hours. This worry did not suffice for many other families: those with parents who never acquired education in their lives.
I come from one such family, one that has been blessed enough for my father to be able pay tuition for all of us to attain the education he did not have. But that is as much as he can contribute to my success and growth in education, because it is all he can offer.
I know that my parents, and many others with similar circumstances were and are still hoping that this lockdown is lifted as soon as possible so their children can go back to school to be helped by teachers as they are not in position to take on this role. For them it is a time of helplessness and pain of not being able to help their children thrive with the education they wish for them to acquire.
This pain is shared by the children too, I happen to know it too well for the times you come home top of your class but you need to explain to your parent in the simplest terms possible so they can celebrate with you. The times you have a big moot court competition and you need to practice with someone other than your teammates or your mirror, the times you need to choose between a government sponsored course and a private one, but it is just not possible.
COVID-19 has left many children in this situation and worse due to the uncertainty pertaining to the lockdown. This renders the existence and/or success of home schooling, in the legal language, a rebuttable presumption. In a layman’s language I’d say home schooling is not black and white for it is not, but rather one of many shades of grey because for some it is unachievable despite fulfilling one of the characteristics of the idea (being home).
I therefore made a resolution to give in the form of homeschooling all my siblings and rendering as much help as I can during these COVID times. It is tough, coping with other obligations but for all it is worth, it might be the best gift I will ever give my parents; relief from the helplessness that comes with such situations. I must say, I am grateful for this time as it has also helped us bond more as family.
Like they say: When you are the first person to go to school in your family, you have saved the whole clan, albeit not literal. It is just a metaphor; that you will be able to help many others with advice and guidance to walk the same path you did, hopefully with more ease. I choose to accept this role and take it on with grace and joy; to guide all the little ones coming after me.
By Rehemah Twine