Prioritizing Learning for Children

Carol Babb

But even as teachers, rightly so, are concerned about contracting the virus, Doctor Babb says that as an educator, her concern and that of the ministry is the bad effect the lack of education can have on children during the pandemic. She says that at this time, the children must be meaningfully engaged.

Dr. Carol Babb, Chief Education Officer

“I know that everybody has fears, I have fears too, but this is the new normal. You are here today; you have to work too, but we have to do our part, we have to secure ourselves.  We have to practice safety measures. If everybody stays at home, what will happen? The children deserve a chance. They need to be meaningfully engaged. The teachers are concerned too. Many teachers want school to be opened back. They miss their children, they miss hugging their children. There are so many children who are on the streets who are not engaged, who want attention, who need support. Many of these children, their parents are unable to support them the way they would want to. And so I want to applaud all those teachers who are going the extra mile; who are making sure that they keep in contact with parents, they ask them to come in. We ask teachers, if you find that parents can’t help their children, invite the parent one at a time—in a big classroom, you can physically distance yourself from that person—but provide the support to the parents, so they can help their children. My media colleagues, can you imagine what would happen, if we do not engage our children? Have you ever thought about that? It is not only about teachers. What about the children? They are losing out, they are regressing, they are logging behind. It will affect their development. They are our future, we need to invest in them.”