- Title: Jordanians struggling to adopt online education following coronavirus lockdown
- Date: 24th March 2020
- Summary: EXTERIOR OF CLOSED SCHOOL SIGN READING (Arabic): "ARAB ELIAA SCHOOL" DOOR OPENING TO REVEAL EMPTY CLASSROOM EMPTY CLASSROOM VARIOUS OF ARABIC LANGUAGE TEACHER, HIBA MOHAMMED, GIVING CLASS FROM OWN LIVING ROOM AS SHE WORKS ON LAPTOP MOBILE PHONE SET TO RECORD SESSION / MOHAMMED'S VOICE HEARD IN BACKGROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ARABIC LANGUAGE TEACHER, HIBA MOHAMMED, SAYING: "To be honest my only concern at first was not being able to get the information across to the students in the same way I could when they are interacting with me in class. Thank God I have been able to get the information across in a clear and simple way for the kids, we sought help from other online classes, and there was positive feedback, even the parents were happy."
- Embargoed: 7th April 2020 11:43
- Keywords: COVID-19 Coronavirus Health Jordan Lockdown Online learning Remote education
- Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
- City: AMMAN, JORDAN
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Education,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA005C6EW9XX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Teachers and students across Jordan have to adapt to a new virtual classroom, after a strict lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus prevented normal schooling in the kingdom.
The government announced on Monday (March 23) it would extend a curfew indefinitely, as confirmed cases of the illness have steadily risen within a week to 127 people from six.
Schools have asked some teachers to hold online classes, while in other schools, courses were broadcast on national television stations.
A 17-year-old high school student said this was a bit of a shock at first.
"It really affected us emotionally because when you have a teacher in front of you who talks to you and explains things to you, who you can interrupt and ask questions about certain things, it's different than watching a screen," Mona Hussein said.
And for many parents, there's the added struggle of juggling their children's education while working from home.
"All the classes and all the effort will be from the household and there's no help," said Reem Al-Jaony, mother of five.
The country has deployed thousands of troops at checkpoints in main cities to ensure the curfew was heeded, saying many residents had flouted earlier calls to stay home.
Streets across the capital and main cities were deserted, with schools and shops shuttered as police patrolled neighbourhoods and the army manned checkpoints.
Humanitarian groups say many of Jordan's poor, who make up the majority of the population, are already suffering from scarce food supplies and would be further hurt by an extended curfew.
The government has said it will help low income wage earners by delivering subsidised bread and food items that have a cap on their retail prices
(Production: Mohammed Ramahi, Bushra Shakhshir, Jehad Abu Shalbak) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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