COVID-19: Impact on Students in Indonesia
Adi, 17, is a child rights advocate from SOS Children’s Village Lembang in Indonesia. He recently represented children in a forum on the impact of COVID-19 where he shared the challenges of continuing education online. He is concerned that a lack of devices, online access, and the limited capacities of educators to support virtual learning is hindering millions of children in their education.
A Message from Adi
“Hi, I am Adi, a 17-year-old high school student from Bandung, Indonesia. COVID-19 has hit us hard, especially us students. We went from 60 to zero in a matter of days, afraid and anxious about this new virus. Schools were shut down; we could not meet or play with our friends. We had to stay indoors for our own safety. The biggest challenge we, the students, faced was to move to distance learning.
“The internet has not reached everywhere. There are many areas without proper access to the internet. Where there is a connection available, the signal is unstable. There are other challenges too. Not everyone has a smartphone, tablet or a computer. It is mostly the poorer students who are missing out.
“Many students, especially those with disabilities, are struggling with the transition to online learning. I have many friends with disabilities who cannot access distance learning because the content is not friendly for them. For example, the availability of sign language translators or braille books for deaf and blind children.
“I have also heard from my friends about children who experience violence at home. Children facing frustrated parents or living in broken families are finding it difficult to focus on their education at home.
“Responsible and inclusive education is one of the keys to support children’s learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This can only be achieved when parents, teachers, and children can collaborate to create a good learning system. After all, children are the assets of the nation and the future is in their hands. As a child rights advocate, this is children’s call to the world.”
SOS Children’s Villages COVID-19 Education Support
- Providing computers, tablets and digital tools
- Supporting lesson and homework activities
- Distributing books and other school materials
- Supporting radio and community-based lessons
Canadians wishing to help vulnerable children are encouraged to Sponsor a Child, Sponsor a Village or make a Donation today to our COVID-19 response.