Hyderabad: Covid-19 significantly influenced the education of children worldwide. However, one group that is more affected is that of children with special needs. The lock-ups and schools being closed not only disrupted the children’s daily routine, but it also derailed their studies.
Swathi Kureti, who runs the school ‘Special Friends’ for such children in the city, says that the anxiety levels in these children are increased by just keeping their parents locked up in the house.
‘These children not only need attention, but also a lot of care. If you are in a class regularly with children their age, they feel good. They learn, play and make friends just like other children. They are accustomed to structured schedules and learning environments. The sudden unfounded changes in the learning process during the lock-up therefore increased the burden for the child as well as their parents, ”she shares.
Swathi’s school works with special children who come from less privileged backgrounds. ‘In most other cases, the mother stays at home full time. For homes with poor financial status, this is not an option. Both parents have to work to run the house. Such children rely heavily on schools to care for them during the day. However, since the schools are closed, many of them are home alone and scared during the day. ‘
Unfortunately, not only mental health but also the education of these children is a major issue. Although online learning has quickly become the standard solution due to school closures, it was not the most accessible choice for these children.
Panchmukhi, director of Sparsh Special School, says: ‘We have about 400 children in Sparsh who are all struggling to keep up with what they have learned before. I have a student who is 11 years old and was able to write a whole sentence, if prescribed, on his own. But now, because he was no longer in touch with the curriculum, he forgot most of it. So we have to teach him the alphabet again. This is the story of many. The closure has thrown these children’s education back years, and it will take years to reach where they were before the pandemic. ”
Swati says some tips to keep these kids engaged and says, ‘Mothers play an important role. Play with your children and do not leave them alone. Let them participate in small household chores. Make sure they study regularly, and whether you can start teaching them more. You can also tell them stories and sing along with them. ‘
Source: Telangana Today