The Ecole Belge de Kigali (EBK) has just adopted distance learning after the closure of schools in Rwanda. This measure was taken by the Rwandan government to protect children from coronavirus.
Following the Rwandan government’s decision to close all schools on Saturday 14 March 2020, teachers at the EBK are not going on holiday. They are adapting to the new situation and adopting distance education.
“When we learned about the containment measure, we immediately met with the pedagogical team to set up a distance learning system. “Explains Stéphanie Bertrand, director of fundamental of the Belgian school in Kigali. Fundamental is the nursery and primary section.
WhatsApp for Early Learning
Together they decided to operate WhatsApp. A parent group was formed. Every morning the teachers send in a video capsule. They explain to the children the work to be done. Links are also sent with explanations. Throughout the morning, they remain available to answer questions from the learners.
Once the work is completed, the student sends a photo to his or her teacher. In return, the teacher sends the answer sheet. The work is done this way every day.
“It is important in this kind of crisis that the child maintains a pace of learning and a connection with the children in his or her class. » Shows Stéphanie Bertrand the importance of these regular activities.
Google classroom in high school
In high school, they adopted different platforms. “I chose Google classroom to work remotely with my students. “Says one teacher. Teachers and students connect from a computer or smartphone. The learner can access the work, the material, the videos and the teacher’s feedback. “The new system is already working. The kids are at work. “Says the teacher.
The students received a work to be handed in after one week, unlike those in the fundamental. “I gave my students a week because some of them don’t have machines. They have to wait until the weekend to work on their parents’ machines. “She explains. ” Every morning I’m busy. ” she says to me. “The children ask questions. ” She adds.
A new experience for teachers and parents
Distance learning is something new in this school. There are many difficulties, but this teacher is satisfied. “It’s not easy. It’s new learning but it’s interesting. “She confides in me.
With this method, all the children must move forward together but with the collaboration of the parents. This teacher is also a parent. At the same time she has to take care of her children.
“The instructions are given in French. “She said. “Some parents are English-speaking. “She adds. “Others are not available to ensure that the children actually go to work. “She points out.
Another parent contacted criticized his son’s teachers for giving too much to do for one morning. The time seems insufficient.
“At school, there’s a fixed schedule. “He calls back. “Not all children work at the same pace. For a child who had difficulties at school, you need a tutor. “He points out.
Nevertheless, the director of the fundamental, Stéphanie Bertrand, is generally satisfied with child labour at this time. In any case, the pedagogical team remains open to changes,” a teacher confides to me anonymously.
The Belgian School of Kigali exists since 1965. It uses the active method from the first nursery school to the sixth secondary school. The programme followed is that of the French Community of Belgium.
Gérard Rugambwa
