FOR the first time since it started 10 years ago, Global Leadership Academy (GLA) in Jeffreys Bay has started its second school semester online.
After three weeks of intense preparation, the school launched their innovative Grade 8 to 12 Distant Learning Programme on April 14 – enabling all learners to continue their education from their own homes.
This means they can attend school whether they have unlimited or limited access to the Internet.
“The disruption and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in all spheres of life, especially education, will challenge all of us to be creative and resourceful in our response,” explained Global Leadership Academy Principal Stefan Kleyn.
“There is especially much uncertainty in education circles with how this academic year will pan out.
“GLA will fully support and submit to the final restructuring of the academic year once it has been finalised by the Department of Education,” Kleyn added.
“However, for now our thinking is that two important factors will remain: the academic curriculum – although it most likely will be adjusted – will have to be completed and an end-year progression exam will take place.”
According to Kleyn, these key factors have motivated them to put in place an online teaching system that will enable all GLA learners to progress academically.
“With converting to online teaching our biggest identified challenge has been to deliver a programme that assists both learners with limited Internet access, and those with regular access,” he says.
For this reason the school has decided on a two-tier approach.
Tier 1 delivered all critical Term 2 content to learners in a once-off download, whereas Tier 2 allows learners to join a live classroom environment, download videos and more on a daily basis.
“We have had tremendous support from True Technologies, parents and learners during this time and we want to extend a sincere word of thanks to each of them, especially the teaching staff at GLA who have done an amazing job,” says Kleyn.
“At the end of Week 1, we evaluated the success and failures of the system, and we will continue to adapt and change our teaching methods to support learners from all backgrounds for as long as the disruption to regular schooling continues.
“For now, the most important thing is that learners are able to continue schooling and effectively apply themselves to their work.”
