https://youtu.be/uts2psWVciA
Indonesia: Parents Struggle To Keep Children Focused
Many parents feel unprepared to coteach their children at home and struggle to help them stay focused when attending online classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A study conducted by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab found that online learning was too challenging for both parents and students but was the safest option for children. The study also suggests that one possible reason why the children could not concentrate was boredom due to a lack of interaction with their friends. Further, children who rely on their parents to help with schoolwork are at a disadvantage if parents don’t have the skills or time to fully do so. In a bid to using a more interactive teaching method, they have been using teleconferencing1 platforms so that students can interact with their peers. The Jakarta Education Agency also works with companies and individuals who want to donate gadgets for students in need.
1teleconferencing – using telecommunication devices to hold discussions between people in different locations
Think about it: What other methods can teachers and parents utilize to help students learn better online?
China: Hope For Trapped Miners
12 gold miners who have been trapped several hundred meters underground for more than a week have sent up a written note. The note warned that some of them are injured, that they are surrounded by water and that they urgently need medicine. A blast more than a week ago at the mine trapped 22 workers more than 600m from the mine’s entrance. After days without any sign of survivors, rescuers heard knocking sounds on Sunday as they drilled through the mine’s shaft. A note that was sent up on a line said that at least 12 miners were still alive, but that their conditions and health were deteriorating2. Footage from the state broadcaster showed rescue workers sending a wire taped with food and drinks down a small opening to the miners. Rescuers intend to drill multiple tunnels into the mine to vent3 air and deliver supplies. While this is going on, rescue work to bring the miners back up to safety will continue.
2deteriorating – becoming progressively worse
3vent – an opening that allows air to pass out of
Think about it: China has a very bad mining safety record. What can the government do to ensure the safety of miners.
United States: Joe Biden Sworn In
Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States to lead a nation driven apart by post-election turmoil4 and social and political divides. Former senator Kamala Harris was sworn in as Vice-President, being the first woman, first African American and first Asian American to hold the post. President Biden is set to immediately roll back key policies established by Donald Trump and sign executive orders designed to tackle the pandemic, climate change and immigration. These include making masks compulsory on federal property, re-entering the World Health Organization and Paris Climate Agreement and stopping construction of the border wall with Mexico. Instead of pursuing Mr Trump’s isolationist5 policies, Mr Biden will re-engage with the rest of the world and repair relations with America’s allies. About 1,000 lawmakers and guests attended the scaled-down and socially distanced ceremony with a sea of flags to represent the usually large crowds who traditionally show up at inaugurations.
4turmoil – a state of great disturbance
5isolationist – a policy of remaining apart from the affairs of other groups
Think about it: With so many challenges facing the Biden administration, which do you think is the most pressing? Some examples would be the pandemic, climate change, the economy and relations with other countries.
At the end of our news segment, we like to take some time to talk about one of the discussion points raised. Today, we are going to discuss which matter the Biden administration should focus on first.
Personally, I think the most pressing matter would be to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control. Already, so many businesses have closed down due to a lack of customers and business. Further, the numbers regarding the pandemic are publicly available, so the performance of the Biden administration with regards to this matter is very visible. It is necessary to bring the pandemic under control in order to restart the economy. While climate change is also a major concern, it is not something that can be solved in Biden’s first 100 days in office and does not impact everyone as immediately as the Covid-19 situation does.