Analyzing the Resilience of Primary and Secondary Education Systems to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Rwanda

A. Background: Among the measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 is the closure of all public and private schools at all levels. This shift from physical student-teacher learning to online education impacted mostly the primary and secondary education systems. Short-term challenges are already manifesting including a new learning environment for primary and secondary school learners, the unplanned burden of expenses for poor families, job insecurity for private schools' teachers, maintenance of private schools' infrastructures, etc. With the current pace of this pandemic, more consequences are to be expected into the future. B: Objectives The general objective of the present study is to Analyze the Resilience of Primary and Secondary Education Systems to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Rwanda. Specific Objectives are: i) Assessing the societal knowledge, perception, and attitude on the impacts of COVID 19 pandemic in Rwanda; ii) Understanding the role and interests of actors in improving the Resilience of Primary and Secondary Education Systems during and after COVID-19 pandemic in Rwanda; iii) Investigating the preparedness and effectiveness of ongoing e-learning platforms and tools in teaching and learning process at Primary and Secondary Education levels in Rwanda; iv) Considering and integrating stakeholders' suggestions to Mitigate the Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on Primary and Secondary teaching and learning process and outcomes v) Establishing strategic approaches for accurate, timely, and consistent communication with the community (students, staff, parents, stakeholders) regarding COVID-19 preventive measures and the steps being taken to ensure smooth post-crisis continuity C: Methods This is a quantitative study to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding Covid-19 among children, adults, and disadvantaged groups in sequential steps: Step 1: We developed a set of categories of needs relating to social exclusion and identity formation based on existing knowledge in literature; Step 2: We discussed the established categories in round-table consortium meetings Step 3: We established appropriate sites for interview rounds as well as an initial list of potential respondents to include a cross-section of the Vulnerable population, based upon location, gender, age, education and current means of livelihood; Step 4: We established categories form the base for the first round of semi-structured interviews with 20 members of the vulnerable Households Step 5: In the second round, 80 interviewees will be shown a card with a list of categories 22 Step 6: In the third round of interviews a second group comprised of the strategic actors that influence how Vulnerable are perceived (community leaders; government officials; international actors; members of the popular media; development, human rights, and indigenous peoples NGO workers) and a cross-section of 25 ordinary members of neighboring communities, will be asked to comment on the list of categories of identity-formation and exclusion. Step 7: A picture of Every student needs of personal contact and exclusion will be drawn based upon existing knowledge, paying particular attention to the links that are made between how their adequate hardware/software/internet access and social exclusion. D: Expected outcome are i) The research findings will lead to an overview of the existing COVID-19 situation (nationwide) to establish a better and more systematic understanding of COVID 19 in regards to primary and secondary education systems ii) The study will uncover study guided strategies to mitigate negative impacts on teaching and learning to support and build resilient, sustainable and inclusive primary and secondary educational systems to foster socio economic development and well-being. iii) Researchers and Academic staff from University of Rwanda collaborate with Civil society NGO in this research to come up with research findings and recommendations to guide policy makers in the setting and implementation of recovery policies iv) A citizen surveillance system is established (oversight of access to and quality of preventive measures)