Learning under Lockdown - Voices of South Africa’s Children

We were proud to hear the news that the work of five of our learners were selected for a publication in a project initiated by Jonathan Jansen – “Learning under Lockdown”

This year was very exciting for me, as it was the start of a new chapter in my life at high school – meeting new people and making friendships that I hoped would last a lifetime, but it became something of an uncertainty. Having only experienced one full term at my new school and having it taken away so suddenly while being forced to work from home has left me with mixed emotions. I know I do not have a choice, so I just try to do the best that I can, complete my work and try to stay focused. I feel I am being robbed of my five-year high school experience. I can’t help but wonder – was one term enough for my teachers to get to know us? Brandi Skylar Ryland (Grade 8, age 14)

This year started on a high emotional note for me because this is the year when I will choose my subjects for Grade 10. I want to be a marine biologist and I have already mapped my year ahead.

February 2020. Globally the talk of the coronavirus starts. We all have our opinions and start watching the statistics. It can never happen to us in South Africa, we think. We hope.

My school installs more sanitizing points in each classroom.

Learning continues.

March 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic is creating havoc. Our President announces that schools’ first term will end early. It feels like a mad scramble as my school starts to prepare us (and our parents) for the new normal. “Schools are closed, but learning continues.” Anonymous (Grade 9, age 14)

I KNOW I DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE, SO I JUST TRY TO DO THE BEST THAT I CAN, COMPLETE MY WORK AND TRY TO STAY FOCUSED.

Photographer: Abigail Correia

LOCKDOWN At home we prepare a study area for me: Laptop, printer and mini router. In the beginning we received daily emails from our teachers setting work to be done. As the weeks drag on, the hours rush by, my emotional psyche takes a dip. I struggle to sleep at night, I develop headaches and tummy aches. I see my dream of becoming a marine biologist fading over the horizon. I do not see myself in Grade 10 in 2021, anymore.

Learning without a teacher in front of me is difficult. I now need to teach myself the concept first. This is taking so long it’s very difficult. Hopefully, I understand and then I will still need to do examples set. I feel alone and depressed. Walking around in sleepwear for days on end is not me – it has become the new me. Why get dressed if you cannot go out?

Yes, I can email my teachers, but I miss being in the classroom. I see other children playing outside, never touching a book, while I am bogged down with online learning. We are even writing tests online.

The way we are taught has changed. But learning continues, I look outside my house and realise again that in South Africa there is still great divide between the schools that have and those who have not. Are we not all South Africans, with the same constitutional rights? I feel sad because what Covid-19 has shown me is that we are not equal.

Yes, I have continued with my learning during this lockdown period, but is it fair? I know my school has used its own funds and those given by generous donors to send us data when we cannot afford it anymore. My school will possibly, I hope, dig deep into its own funds again to deep-clean the school in preparation for our return.

We have whatsapp groups. We have online meetings. To me it is stressful when I struggle to understand the concepts. Luckily, I have both parents at home and they help to keep me positive. My school also sends us emails about looking after our mental health.

I see the figures rising, especially in the Western Cape where I live. Compiled by Jonathan Jansen and Emily O’Ryan

Photographer: Jade Vermeulen