Join Dr Ali to help our students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dear Editor,
Schools are closed for an indefinite period. Based on the last advisory from the Ministry of Education, schools were scheduled to reopen on April 20, 2020, after the Easter break. However, this did not happen, and our school doors remain tightly closed even as students approach CSEC, CAPE, and other exit exams at the secondary level. Because of the long pause in learning, catching up will be difficult for many students, especially those who are attending public schools. We have seen complaints from teachers at public school regarding the difficulties they experience engaging their students online. Except for School of the Nations, which was able to use Zoom to continue classes, I am sure most of the schools in Guyana are a similar position.
The vast majority of students will have to “slug it out” on their own if they wish to write the exit exams this year. Those with the financial capacity to access online learning resources may survive the disruption caused by the closure of schools. However, the vast majority of students will suffer in Guyana since they don’t have access to the internet or computers. Unfortunately, we would have been in a better place today if the APNU/AFC had continued with the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme to provide poor households with free computers, wireless routers, and internet access. In their infinite wisdom, however, the APNU/AFC abandoned this programme without any replacement.
While their counterparts in smaller Caribbean territories are weathering the COVID-19 crisis at home with online learning resources, learning by our local students has halted because they don’t have computers and internet. To date, the Government has not seen it fit to develop a solution since it is more concerned with colluding with GECOM to rig the elections. Our students are not important. The cohort that is scheduled to write the exit exams this year will be the collateral damage. Indeed, these students are dangerously poised to join the more than 40 per cent who exit the secondary school system without a single subject. Yes, no one talks about this 40 per cent since the focus is always on the top performers.
For those who are interested in our youths, a solution is essential and not who we should blame. So far, Dr Irfaan Ali, President-elect, has implemented a solution. Last Saturday, he started a programme for CSEC Mathematics that will be transmitted via the internet and local television stations. This solution will work for those with as well as those without internet connectivity.
So apart from sharing masks and hampers, the President-elect is demonstrating that he is thinking about our youths. He has not left them out of his plan. The Private Sector can support this initiative by:
1. Providing free or cheaper data to students who have registered to sit the upcoming exams;
2. Sponsoring recorded programmes for Mathematics, English and other subjects on television;
3. Providing loans to students to purchase tablets with sim cards that cost between 35000 to 60000.
4. Encouraging students to use the learning hub created by CXC.
5. Providing small cash grants to all students to ease the financial burden on parents who may be out of a job or earning less income.
6. Offering discounts on food items to customers with children at school.
Teachers who are familiar with the various subjects should also join other civic-minded persons like Dr Ali to help our students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sincerely,
S Pasha