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The Coronavirus pandemic has been a setback for society in numerous ways, especially in education. With students being pushed to study online for six months, how are the new guidelines going to help them prepare them for working back in an educational setting, and how are they going to remain safe while in contact with their peers and teachers, despite a recent regression in the lockdown rules, issued by the government?
Everyone in education is going to find it difficult to adhere to this new way of life, but what are their thoughts on conforming to the rules set in place? Should we be sending our children back into schools, colleges, and universities? How do teachers feel about taking their lessons back to the classroom and how do safety precautions seem to them?
“I am glad my daughter is back in the environment of college, however I do worry about how safe she is going to be as she is going to be mixed with other people who may have been in contact with the virus...”
Places of education will be using a variety of measurements to keep everyone on site safe, such as masks. Using masks is the new normal and will be compulsory to wear around Schools, Colleges and University campuses to decrease the spread of the virus, as well plastic visors, to be used by teaching staff, to increase safety in the classrooms. A student studying Animal Handling and Land-Based studies, Mathew Hodgson, states “I’m okay with being two meters apart from one another, but in my situation it’s not possible to stay that far away. I expect masks to be used appropriately.”
A parent of a Barnsley College Student said: “I am glad my daughter is back in the environment of college, however I do worry about how safe she is going to be as she is going to be mixed with other people who may have been in contact with the virus. I know the college has got their own rules on masks, so I am glad she will be wearing one during her lessons, and when she is in the college in general.” Communication from Schools, Colleges, and Universities is paramount so that parents and guardians are confident that students are surrounded by safety while learning.
Despite masks being very effective, social distancing is equally just as important. Maintaining two meters away from everyone adds more safety to the situation, and although this may be difficult in some scenarios (such as primary schools and nurseries), it decreases the fear of passing Covid-19 to other people.
A teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that “There is still great fear amongst the teaching staff that an outbreak in school is a great possibility, but we’ve got to work closely with the guidelines to create a positive working environment for the children.” Therefore, trying to combine teaching and learning with social distancing in place is not going to be an easy task, but a task many will at least try to conform to and accept as a way forward into education.
So how are we supposed to normalise this? A key worker mentioned “I think some of the new normal will be permanent because you don’t want someone stood right next to you” As we have been social distancing for a period of time, this new normality won’t be as difficult for older students and staff but, for some, it could be a scary and quick start back in society. There is so much happening, in this next educational year, and there is no doubt that it is going to be overwhelming and daunting for a lot of people, but as long as we make it easier for everyone by staying compliant, safe, and clean, a positive move forward should be in place.
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