Effects of covid-19 lockdown on UPE school going children in Rugaaga town council, Isingiro district

Abstract

This study sought to find out the effects of the COVID 19 lockdown on UPE School going children in Rugaaga town council, Isingiro district. It was guided by three specific objectives which included; finding out effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the emotional wellbeing of UPE School going children, finding out the effects of the school going children’s play with in their immediate environment, and finding out the different iniatives adopted by caregivers and schools to promote home based learning during covid 19 lockdown. A descriptive study design was adopted. A qualitative approach was preferred because it enabled the researcher to capture the opinions and perceptions of the participants. The sample had 18 respondents who included; pupils, parents, and government representatives (local leaders). The in-depth interviews were used to collect data which was recorded, organized in themes. Therefore, the data collected was thematically analyzed. The study findings revealed that majority of the school going children indeed experienced emotional feebleness. Many became stressed, depressed worried, frustrated, anxious, and hopeless. The study further revealed majority of the school going children were sad, lost interest in things that once brought them joy, and trauma signs were also visible. Also, their great effect on children’s play that led to change of nature of games and loss of sport skills. To the good side some iniatives were adopted by both parents and care givers to promote home based; earning including hiring teachers, buying reading materials among others. The study recommended that parents ought to be educated on how to help their children at home to prevent or minimize the psychosocial factors that affect their mental wellbeing. This would be helpful as they await the government to reopen school for all the learners. The study further recommended that schools ought to be reopened with strict enforcement of the needed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This will go a long way in minimizing the psychosocial and the mental health effects on the school going children during this COVID-19 pandemic