The effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the teaching and learning process in the high density secondary schools of Highfield-Glen Norah District in Harare

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown brought the whole world into a halt and this led to the closure of schools worldwide as a way to contain the spread of the pandemic. The teaching and learning process has been affected however, most countries have called for the continuity of education whilst learners are at home and this has brought changes and opportunities in the teaching and learning process in secondary schools. The study used a mixed research approach to investigate the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the teaching and learning process on in high density secondary schools of Highfield Glen Norah District in Harare. A social survey was conducted using interviews and questionnaires as the instruments for data collection. The target population were secondary school learners in the High Glen secondary schools. The total population was 100 participants which consisted of parents, teachers and secondary school learners. A sample of 100 was used by employing a purposive sampling. The data collected was analysed and presented and interpreted through tables and charts. The study found out that the COVID-19 lockdown had positive and negative effects on the teaching and learning process as it integrated technology whereby learners learn using digital technologies such as Zoom, Whatsapp. The negative effects were less time spent on learning and lack of social interaction since learning was done at home. The study also revealed the ways in which teaching and learning process occurred such as Whatsapp, radio and television lessons and the changes and opportunities brought by the COVID-19 include changes in the way teaching and learning occurred that is online and opportunities for the involvement of private sector in the education system and enhancement of internet connectivity. The study recommends that Governments should recognize that digital literacy and access to the internet are increasingly indispensable for children to realize their right to education, and should take all possible measures to provide affordable, reliable and accessible internet service for all learners, they should take steps to mitigate disproportionate hardships for poor and marginalized populations, including finding ways to provide discounted and free access to data, services, and computers and the use of various technologies should be included in school curricula to familiarize learners. The study further recommends there is need for proper planning on online learning before it can be implemented at national level, making sure that all facilities that ensure the possibility of online learning are put in place. Robust efforts are to be put in place to cater for the rural and other disadvantaged urban populace to ensure access to education during pandemics like COVID-19 to curb inequality and exclusion.