How the 2020’s pandemic has impacted the educational sector in Madagascar and throughout the world

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 academic calendars have been interrupted in Madagascar and almost everywhere in the world, leading schools to shut their doors. According to UNESCO 60% of the world’s students have been affected by this pandemic, nearly all countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

In response to this impact of the COVID-19-related school closures worldwide, all countries had to resort to new learning strategies – distance learning – to better maintain the continuation of education.

However such a new type of learning lies uncertain for some African countries with a delayed or emerging technological system including Madagascar, which has been affected by the pandemic in mid-March. As a matter of fact, access to technology particularly in Africa is yet low as reported by Salman Asim and his peers. They said only 5 percent of the region of Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Eritrea have access to internet; 36 percent in CAR and 35 percent in Mozambique with mobile access; and less than 10 percent of television access in Burundi, CAR, Chad and Madagascar.

Here are some of the common learning strategies used by the Malagasy government despite this low rate of technological access: Teaching through national broadcasting television, special learning programs meant for students who were about to pass the official national examination, distribution of books and other self-taught learning tools so that to maintain students’ skills and a daily or weekly provided homework sent by teachers via mail especially for university students with internet access. Therefore, despite the reopening of nearly 40% of schools at the present time here in Madagascar, this new type of learning had impacted a significant number of local and global learners. The main reason is that distance learning still presents both its advantages and drawbacks. From this point, understanding them well so as to apply them into the Malagasy educational context is really important. Still regarded as a developing country, Madagascar is not yet able to provide any online-based learning material unlike some developed countries with highly effective teaching tools thanks to the rise of digital era.

Talking about distance education over the past few years mostly implies the use of ICT such as online learning, video web conferencing, virtual classes, and chat groups – which cannot yet be afforded by a large number of Malagasy learners. As a result, this kind of learning failed to meet its requirements and makes the Malagasy education system at stake. Malagasy learners still struggle to participate in digital learning whilst others believe in the benefit of implementing it into school education.

Source: UNESCO’s COVID-19 Education Response

According to cyber bullying statistics from i-SAFE foundation over half of young people have been the victims of cyber bullying and do not tell their parents when this occurs.

It is reported that over 25% of adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through their mobile phones and the internet. In fact, 80 percent of them use a mobile device regularly as a form of technology to access the internet, making it the most common medium for online bullying. Indeed, it can affect all races and can occur everywhere but the top three countries with the highest rate of cyber bullying include India, Brazil and the United States. 30% of American young people have declared it happened to them many times. A point to note is, over 95% of teens in the US are online and use all forms of electronic devices.

Nosy Tanikely for more water-related activities

One of the most attractive touristic places in Madagascar, Nosy Tanikely is an island located at the southern part of Nosy-Be. Just half an hour from the nicknamed “Perfume Island”, Nosy Tanikely National Marine Park abounds in popular marine activities that make it the most visited island in Nosy-Be. Despite it has been declared as a protected site in 2010, water sports ranging from scuba diving to windsurfing remain highly practiced especially by those who look for more adventure and adrenalin. Moreover riding on this southern coast of Nosy be is always tempting thanks to its wind blowing season starting from late March to late November. As well as its breathtaking sea that offers popular dive sites gives chance to diver lovers to be part of the dive clubs, so that they could gather to visit marine spots with a variety of underwater fauna and flora. Here are some of those famous sites:

The wreck, a diving site which is located between 25 and 30meters underwater, a site with 4 shipwrecks of small and medium corals with thousands of fish including large groupers and groupers, large stingrays, guitar strings, school of jacks, barracudas and batfish.

The gorgons located in the 15 – 20meters, with a field with thousands of huge gorgonians, huge turtles, seahorses and crocodile fishes.

The manta point, a diving place with a depth of 25 to 28meters sanded bottom with coral potatoes and served as a cleaning station for Mantas rays. This dive spot is suitable for people who have a little experience of scuba diving.

The Gaby rocks, deep falling spots of 40 to 70meters with destroyed corals and very regularly sharks.

Other dive sites with several drop offs between 20 and 80m with a better visibility than in other sites and a pelagic frequently met.

Nosy Tanikely is not the only famous touristic attraction in Nosy be. It has actually another large number of paradisiacal islands along with stunning landscapes to discover and miscellaneous activities to practice either terrestrial or maritime ones. Nosy Komba is one example, also known as the “lemurs’ island ”and which is made famous for its activities of hiking and trekking throughout the wild nature of the beautiful touristic site. That been said Nosy-Be still remains the great island of surprises and discoveries, an extraordinary place to spend with family during vacation time.

Sources: ORTANA, Live Madagascar

Halloween and the story behind Jack-O’-Lantern

Although Halloween has never been designated as an official holiday, the last day of October, Americans gather to celebrate the tradition of Halloween. Indeed, it is regarded as a special community-centered celebration both enjoyed by children and adults. Etymologically, Halloween is a shortened for the name “All Hallows Eve”, which means the day before the holy day “All saints day” celebrated by Christians.

How much American people get involved in Halloween festivities

Over time, Halloween continues to gain in popularity among people of all ages. According to the National Retail federation, every year 85 to 90 percent of US Children engage in Halloween festivities such as going trick-or-treating, dressing in costumes, parading that is also joined by 65 percent of US adults between 18 and 34.That means, Halloween is not a celebration meant only for kids but for adults too, as it is ranked at the 2^nd place of American adults’ favorite holidays. In fact, 2019 Halloween holiday brought about 8.8 billion dollars in sales in the US, 4.8 billion dollars a decade ago and 6.9 billion in 2002.