Online Classes in Romania

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Romania resorts to online learning

Leyla Cheamil, 02.04.2020, 13:50

The Covid-19 pandemic has shattered the world,
and the effects are being felt in all fields, including education. In Romania,
the social distancing imposed by authorities to prevent the spread of the virus
led, naturally, to all schools being shut down for a limited period of time.
The decision was made three weeks ago, so all pupils and students are at home,
not knowing when regular classes are to be resumed, as nobody knows how the
pandemic is going to develop further.

Schools will remain closed until there is
no danger for children’s health, said the education minister Monica Anisie in mid-March,
without mentioning a clear end to the suspension of classes. The official gave
assurances that her ministry’s specialists were working on several scenarios,
aimed to make up for the effects of the current crisis.

In the meantime, classes have been held online,
but the method was quick to show its vulnerabilities. On the one hand, not all
pupils have a computer, a laptop or a tablet and internet connection, and, on
the other hand, not all teachers have started using such means.

The education
minister has sent an open letter to all pre-university teachers voicing her
confidence in their capacity to create the necessary educational context, via
all possible means of communication, and to motivate pupils to stay connected
to education. This means maintaining the balance in this process, by adapting
the volume of resources transmitted to pupils, of individual activities they
are supposed to carry out, and participation in online classes should be
something pupils are looking forward to, not just more pressure, said minister
Monica Anisie.

The Education Ministry has identified a set of
digital tools and resources that can be used in technology-assisted home schooling,
which have been aggregated on a platform. I recommend teachers should select
the most adequate tools and instruments or to create their own resources. We
are aware of the fact that there are both pupils and teachers who do not have
the necessary technological means to keep the learning process going, the
education minister said, also pointing out to the fact that this period of
suspension of classes and home schooling should be used to consolidate what has
been already taught in class, and students are not going to be evaluated.

Also, while classes stay suspended because of the
coronavirus pandemic, the Education Ministry is organizing, in cooperation with
the public TV station, televised classes meant to ensure a bit of continuity in
education. Most programs target 8th and 12th graders, as
they have to take national examinations this year. (M.Ignatescu)