"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
–Benjamin Franklin

The impact of coronavirus on education

Many countries are suggesting various levels of containment in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. With these worries, schools, colleges and universities have closed down and moved abruptly to online platforms and remote education. This sudden change has us asking, “What is the impact of coronavirus on education?” The first impact of coronavirus on education is that the standardised testing and school admissions are being delayed across the country. Some educational institutions have opted to cancel or delay standardised testing, while others are thinking of extending the school year due to delays and many missed days. Classes and semesters are being delayed as staff and teachers acclimate to the new online platforms and try to switch their material to a new teaching style. This includes learning how to use online tools, figuring out how to convert hands-on learning materials or discussion-based classes to the new platforms, and possibly changing the whole learning plan based on the inability to switch it over to an online platform. The second impact includes the challenge faced by staff and students due to the non-availability of internet and computers. There are many teachers and students who do not have the facility of the internet or a PC available in their homes. Without the proper technology, many students will be forced to miss out on their education until further solutions can be arranged. What’s been seen so far is that remote learning comes with many challenges, but the switch to technological platforms also gives new opportunities to students and teachers to try out different modes of education. It’s possible that once the Covid-19 pandemic settles down, we may see a continued increase in education systems using online platforms for study aids, as well as students embracing online education for their higher learning degree programs.

Tauseef Ashraf,
Karachi.

Road accident prevention

Every day, hundreds of road traffic accidents occur across the country. Road accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Often, drivers are distracted while behind the wheel, taking their focus away from the road. In other cases, drivers can become tired after spending multiple hours at the wheel, resulting in preventable errors. Sometimes, accidents occur for a combination of reasons, from bad visibility to unsafe road design, or other drivers lack caution. While the causes of accidents can vary, the consequences are often the same, resulting in everything from vehicular and property damage to serious injuries or even death. While scrolling through my Facebook one day, I came across a video of a fatal road accident caused by the negligence of one of the drivers. As more and more people hit roadways and increase highway congestion this busy summer season, I would like to remind the drivers to slow down and follow these three tips to keep accidents to a minimum. First, pull into traffic slowly. Stop, look, listen. Be aware of blind spots, including those in rear view mirrors and behind windshield pillars or highway road signs. Also, when at an intersection making a right-hand turn, look both directions at least twice before proceeding. Vehicles can appear almost out of nowhere very quickly, so exercise caution when pulling into a busy intersection. Second, keep at least one hand on the steering wheel. Reduce in-car distractions such as changing radio stations or CDs, cell phones, eating or momentarily taking a hand off the wheel. A gust of wind, pothole or a blown tire could send the vehicle into another lane and cause a serious accident. Third, be courteous to other drivers. No one owns the roads, so treat others with respect and report any suspicious driving activity to authorities. Keep yourself and others safe while you’re out driving on the streets.

Fasiha Tariq,
Lahore.