Effects of Covid-19 on Education Worldwide

[Lost]

Depends where in the world you are, really. Home schooling is a far better option than the Thai education system. I look at the government schools as nothing short of mass child abuse. The cost of international schooling is out of reach for some parents so homeschooling would be the best option - virus or no virus.

Places like Finland, though. Best education system in the world. England and America even. Proper schools.

Home schooling in these countries? Sure.

Beneficial? No.

The stats contradict that. 2018 saw 60,000 home schoolers in the UK and growing at 25% per year. In general, achievement is better than mainstream schools.
So - Beneficial - Yes.

When I say it's not beneficial, I'm not talking about grades the kids may achieve in a home schooling program. I don't doubt that the kids get good grades. I have been a part of home schooling programs in the past.

But children, and young adults even, need classroom interaction. Even if homeschooled for some periods in their lives, the kids in question will always be exposed to a classroom routine at some point. Social interaction with similar ages is paramount to a child's healthy upbringing.

Doing away with the current education system (as suggested in the op) in favour of parents and screens, is not positive progress in my humble opinion.

[pharvey]

But children, and young adults even, need classroom interaction. Even if homeschooled for some periods in their lives, the kids in question will always be exposed to a classroom routine at some point. Social interaction with similar ages is paramount to a child's healthy upbringing.

Doing away with the current education system (as suggested in the op) in favour of parents and screens, is not positive progress in my humble opinion.

Zero experience with teaching other than my own education, but would have to agree with the above.

"Distance"/online education is a great tool later in life when you need to juggle with work/family life etc., but early years (unless absolutely necessary) is a no-no for me.

[Bamboo Grove]

Schools will close for a month (at least) here in Finland on Wednesday. Tomorrow we will go to school and get more information.

[barrys]

Well, as of today, all educational institutions in Cambodia have been ordered to close until further notice and I have a 7 and a 2-year-old. Khmer New Year holiday is scheduled for next month for 2 weeks, so I imagine we're looking at 1 1/2 months closure at least. The irony is that 2 months ago we actually packed up and moved to the town we're in now so that my 2-year-old daughter could attend the only pre-kindergarten facility in the entire region........ So back to square one....

[PeteC]

Received the below concerning my Daughter's International School here in the East. As the Cabinet in Bangkok just approved this step at 1430 hours approximately, my thought is that all households with students still in school will be getting similar messages this evening.
____________________

Dear Parents and Carers

It is, unfortunately, now confirmed that we have to close tomorrow according to the Cabinet's resolution today. It is expected that this closure will last until 31 March, but could be extended. During the closure, XXX will continue to educate your children via remote learning.

Tomorrow all the teachers will be in school, finalising the set up for remote learning, and this will begin for all students at 8am on Thursday 19 March.

As far as is possible, teachers will continue to deliver the curriculum as planned, following the normal daily timetable from 8am to 3:10pm. Students will be provided with virtual lessons and online learning, as well as a wide range of tasks and projects so that their learning can continue.

Mr XXX and Mr XXX will be sending you more detail regarding how this will happen in different areas of the school tomorrow. They will explain how you and your child can access the work, how your child will get feedback and how work will be marked. They will also provide guidance regarding supporting your child through this period, ensuring a suitable learning environment at home for your child, and who to contact if you need help.

This is a very difficult and unique time for everyone, and although we have been planning for this for several weeks, no doubt there will be some glitches along the way. Please bear with us as we familiarise ourselves with remote learning. It's especially important during this time that students, teachers and parents work together to support each other, despite the challenges that this will present for all of us...................

[HHTel]

But aren't schools already closed until May (Summer Break)

[Big Boy]

Not all schools finish at the same times.

[PeteC]

But aren't schools already closed until May (Summer Break)

Not IS schools, their summer break is in the summer, usually between about June 25 and August 15 + -. Term break was coming up for most, usually two weeks between April 6 thru 17 before the start of term 3.

[Big Boy]

Not only International Schools. We have 2 Thai kiddies living next door who attend regular school. 1 is on holiday, and the other isn't.

[Bamboo Grove]

I will start my net teaching tomorrow. We still need to go to the school this week but no or harldy any students there. Even today many parents had already taken their kids away from the school. I had classes with 3-6 students. Some 1-3 graders may attend school, depending where their parents work. This will be an interesting experience or a learning curve but I expect there's a lot to learn for me.

[PeteC]

There seems to be a huge inaccuracy in what the Bangkok Post reports concerning the new steps announced yesterday.

It says "schools in the greater Bangkok area will be closed..."

That's not the case at all as we have seen with school closing announcements everywhere.

[sateeb]

Not looked into it but is it not the difference between enforced Govt. closures in BKK and voluntary closures elsewhere?

[PeteC]

Not in our case. The school was contacted and ordered to close by the Thai Ed Dept., and Dept. of International Schools.

Edit: Should be noted that there is a sister school in Bangkok under the same company umbrella. That perhaps put both schools in the same category regardless of location. Quite a few IS's here have that same Bangkok sister school set up.

[Big Boy]

The wording from the school where my son works:

The Thai Government and the Ministry of Education have issued a directive that all schools need to close in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In accordance to this directive we will close the school from tomorrow, Wednesday March 18th.

[pharvey]

All schools in Scotland and Wales to close by the end of the week. Still no decision on England schools which remain open - utterly bizarre IMHO

[EDIT} Appears Boris is going to make an announcement during his daily briefing that England schools will indeed Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland in closing - this being from Friday (until further notice).