How Rwandan teachers are responding to new COVID-19 realities

This week, the UN is recognizing educators on the occasion of yesterday's World Teachers' Day. The theme for this year is 'Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future'. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Rita Mutabazi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Training, Institutional Development, and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic, shed light on how teachers in Rwanda have been coping with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and how they are addressing the shortage of teachers in the country. The transition to remote teaching has been a significant challenge for teachers and students alike. In a profession where physical presence and face-to-face interaction have been the norm, the sudden shift to online learning required teachers to adapt quickly and creatively. Many teachers had little to no experience with online teaching, making the learning curve steep and challenging. Rita Mutabazi emphasized the importance of teachers learning from each other and collaborating to ensure that no student is left behind. During the transition to remote learning, practical courses posed a particular challenge for Rwanda Polytechnic. While theoretical courses could be taught online, practical-based courses required access to specialized tools and technologies that were often lacking. This led to inequalities in learning outcomes and hindered the ability to assess and grade students effectively. Despite these challenges, teachers at Rwanda Polytechnic remained committed to ensuring that students continued to learn, even if assessment and grading were not feasible in the same traditional manner. With the upcoming reopening of schools in Rwanda, Rwanda Polytechnic is gearing up to welcome students back in a phased approach. The institution has been diligently preparing for academic readiness, implementing hygienic and sanitation measures, and focusing on preventing the spread of COVID-19 within the school premises. While the timeline for reopening schools has faced delays due to the evolving situation with the pandemic, Rwanda Polytechnic is committed to ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for both students and teachers. In light of World Teachers' Day and the theme of 'Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future', Rwanda Polytechnic's response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of educators in the face of unprecedented circumstances. As teachers continue to navigate the complexities of remote teaching and the uncertainties of the current global health crisis, their dedication to student learning remains unwavering. In conclusion, the pandemic has brought about new realities for teachers in Rwanda, prompting them to innovate and find creative solutions to ensure continuity in education. Despite the obstacles encountered along the way, teachers at Rwanda Polytechnic are rising to the occasion, demonstrating their commitment to shaping the future through education.