Hybrid curriculum and staggered classes may be answer
THERE’S been a lot of discussion about the state of our schools this year. And there doesn’t seem to be any good solution in sight.
There are currently two camps of thought regarding whether schools should remain open, or students should study at home. Of course, there are pros and cons to this situation.
However, with the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, more and more parents are voicing concerns that schools may soon become a new breeding ground for the virus.
This has inevitably put the Education Ministry (MOE) into another cycle of dilemma. Many organisations are pressuring MOE to reintroduce home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) classes.
The reopening of schools is a great relief to working parents as well as canteen and school bus operators. Parents can finally focus on their jobs while the operators may begin to generate some income after a year of disruption.
ESTABLISH A CLEAR PRINCIPLE
Perhaps all these debates stem from the lack of clear principles and guidelines regarding when to conduct PdPR classes and when to open schools. At the moment, it’s a one-size-fits-all approach.
A remote school in a green zone is treated the same as a high risk red zone school.
Perhaps the district education office or even the local school authorities can be empowered to make the best decision for their school.
The ministry can just issue a broad guideline, for example, mandatory school closure in red zones that can later be reopened once the number of cases fall below national average.
STAGGERED SCHOOLING
Many parents and organisations have suggested this approach to reduce congestion and maintain physical distancing in schools.
Some creative suggestions include an alternate school attendance with each batch taking a structured turn.
At any time, only three batches will be present instead of five or six. This can be complemented with PdPR classes, as well as using Didik TV to ensure that students at home can continue their lessons.
ADJUSTED CURRICULUM
Given the prolonged pandemic, perhaps the school curriculum for this year — and the next few years
— should be adjusted to optimise, instead of maximise, the learning content.
Furthermore, learning via PdPR classes cannot be the same as classroom learning. It should be light and practical, yet packed with lessons.
This is where the curriculum experts in MOE should lead the way and design a hybrid curriculum that can be used for both classroom and PdPR classes.
It’s time to get creative without sacrificing the content of lessons. What’s more important is for our children to be able to enjoy learning while absorbing knowledge, albeit differently.
FLEXIBLE TEACHING
Each child has a different style of learning. Educators should be empowered to be flexible and to adapt to their students’ uniqueness.
Currently, teachers must deliver their lessons in a certain way, failing which they may be rated negatively.
I recall running an online programme using this flexible approach and it was well received by clients.
Teachers need the same opportunity to modify their approach. It’s time to stop blaming one another and to start looking for a more refined solution.
While there may never be a perfect solution, with a little creativity, flexibility and clear principles by the authorities, our children will get to enjoy their lessons safely and effectively.