Corona crisis: Pupils need extra support to manage school

The pandemis affects the whole community, not least schools. A majority of upper school pupils study from home. This makes it hard for them to understand the study material and how to tackle it, says Jamal Abdulle from the association ”Skåne's Horn of Afrika”.

– We’ve already begun to see the consequences of the corona crisis for the pupils, so we must take action now and keep on for some time, he says.

So the association has started a project to support pupils. They are offered tuition in subjects they find difficult, such as maths and physics.

– It worked well before the corona crisis came along. But for pupils with language problems, studying from home was more difficult, says Jamal Abdulle.

Mohamud Ali is the father of one of the pupils getting support.

– Our purpose in the association is to try to give pupils more support. And keep on helping them when they need it.

Finding someone to teach maths and physics was a challlenge. But now Ingvar Kroon, 79, a retired teacher from Österänggymnasiet, is helping out.

– After many years as a pensioner I now have a classroom of my own for the first time. Now I can focus on how I want to organise it, he says. He lives at Gamlegården, quite close to the association’s premises in a basement in Ingelstadsgatan.

Ingvar Kroon has written upper-school textbooks in mathematics. He has a doctorate in nuclear physics, and has just finishing reading the proofs of Matematik 5000, a maths textbook.

– We’ll meet twice a week for four weeks and talk about things that have caused difficulties for the pupils during the spring term.

– We’ll also look at subjects they will study next term and co-operate on homework.

Salman Mohamed is starting in class 1 on the Care and Welfare programme.

– I feel that I need more support in maths and physics, he says.

Ugbad Abdulle is starting in class 3 on the Natural Science programme. She says there is no doubt about the results. Almost all of the pupils who have had extra help with homework from teachers show better results in their studies and have more self-confidence in school.

– One of the biggest advantages of getting help with homework or private lessons is that you can study when you have time, she says.

– I want to be one of the best pupils in the school. These lessons will be a great help for me.

Why do you, a retired teacher, want to help?

– I was a teacher for many years. When I was asked, I didn’t hesitate. I want to help all pupils who need more explanations, says Ingvar Kroon.

At the end of the summer Kb Mosaik asks some pupils how the lessons have gone.

Salman Mohamed says:

– Ingvar’s support was great. I think I’ve improved in maths and physics. I don’t need more help now, but maybe later on.

– I think he’s a very good teacher. He explains things in a way that’s easy to understand, says Ugbad Abdulle.

– I’ve improved a lot. At present I think I can manage without support, she says.

All pupils in years 2 and 3 in upper secondary schools will continue to study from home on alternate weeks.

What do you think about carrying on studying from home?

– As long as corona is on the go, studying from home is better, of course. But the best thing for us pupils is to meet our teachers and friends in school.