Educators have demonstrated formidable resilience, commitment, adaptability and professionalism in responding to the emergency call to support the continuous learning of students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As schools reopen, education systems are putting in place measures to protect the physical health and safety of students, staff and families, and flexible planning for the learning and wellbeing of students.
But uncertainty still remains with unclear timeframes, part-time or restricted attendance by many students, and challenges of teaching while maintaining physical distancing rules. In short, educators continue to face significant challenges that will require them to continue to adapt and learn.
To be most effective, educators will need to be attuned to their own wellbeing needs, provide psychosocial and emotional support that may be required by students (and colleagues), address learning gaps and re-ignite the joy of being at school. Despite these demands, a ‘new normal’ for schools during COVID-19 provides many opportunities to improve educational practices and ‘build back better’.
The Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan Education Services have curated a list of practical tips and activities to support the relationships, wellbeing and learning of students as they return to school during COVID-19. This new guide should be reviewed, contextualised and used, bearing in mind the responsibility of the educator to observe all precautions to protect the health and safety of students, other staff and themselves.
