Shifting perceptions through schools to combat Covid-19

Can schools serve as advocates of the new social behaviour system?

The formulation of a national committee tasked with setting out guidelines and reimagining the social behaviour of citizens (in order to acclimatise society to new practices under the cloud of Covid-19) is a brave step towards aligning society with the demands of the new normal. Teacha! Magazine explores the role that schools can play in this campaign.

The total number of Covid-19 infections in South Africa has increased consistently since the further easing of the national lockdown from June 2020. These numbers are expected to continue to rise exponentially with the peak in infections coming around August 2020.

The big debate since the easing of regulations has been whether or not to allow learners to return to school. While Covid-19 infections are rising, there are also fears that the learning schedule will continue taking a heavy knock if school gates remain closed.

It has been argued that it is particularly important for grades 7 and 12 learners to return to classes. The reasoning here is that we need to avoid a backlog of learners who would naturally have to advance to the next stage of their schooling.

While we have seen the return of grades 7 and 12 learners to the classrooms, prominent members of society have taken to the courts. Trying to halt the opening of schools, these citizens have noted their safety concerns and questioned South African schools’ readiness to adapt to the new normal.

The virus poses a unique challenge to schools and the schooling system, as some of the vital tools needed to combat the spread are not readily available at some institutions. Social distancing remains a challenge due to the overcrowding in some of the public schools. This leaves a huge question mark as to how classes can continue and learning can be achieved.

Schools should spread the message

As the virus is expected to be with us for months (possibly, years) to come, the new national committee will be tasked with identifying the necessary measures needed to assist in instilling new behavioural measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development have a proven track record of successfully conditioning learners and changing their attitudes around issues that are central to the wellbeing of the communities they are based in.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, when HIV/Aids and TB infections were at their peak, the Department of Basic Education conducted a collaborative campaign in schools to change perceptions around living

alongside people who were known to have been infected.

One of the main challenges during the HIV/ overall state of health, and how it impacts

Aids pandemic was the stigma attached to behavioural habits and how these can be

patients and their families. Schools played a key role in battling the stigma through the socialised campaigns that were launched by the Department of Basic Education and Department of Health.

It was impressive to see the pupils absorb the lessons and actively spread those same messages into their communities and ultimately into their homes.

Fast-forward 20 years and our country is faced with a different pandemic. This campaign with a strong focus on shifting people’s perceptions around hygiene, one’s those around us.

At the moment, schools are faced with specific challenges, such as the safety of educators and learners, lack of a consistent supply of safety resources and an interrupted learning calendar.

However, as steps are taken to mitigate the impact of the virus, it is equally important to consider the role that schools can play in shifting societies’ perceptions around pandemic requires a similarly aggressive

adjusted to curb the spread of the virus in our communities.

Author: Levi Letsoko Levi Letsoko is an experienced media content writer and a parent based in Johannesburg. He writes for publications such as Brainstorm Magazine, Fast Company and The Voice Of Local Government with a strong focus on tech, entrepreneurship, corporate governance and business leadership. He is equally passionate about coding.