COVID-19 has certainly upended many things in our lives. One of the sectors greatly impacted by the pandemic is education. As a result of the pandemic, schools were forced to shut down, and lessons took place in a manner never thought of before.
Everyone involved had to adjust and adapt to the new normal that came as a result of the pandemic. Policymakers and education administrators had to come up with new approaches, guidelines, policies and thinking in addressing the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
On the ground, teachers had to adjust to the reality that they have to conduct their teaching using e-learning platforms. Students had to undergo lessons by not being in schools. Parents, meanwhile, had to ensure that their children do not miss the virtual classes, while at the same time provide the necessary facilities to enable their children to be online.
All these are but a few of the challenges of the new normal for education. No doubt there have been many complaints and criticisms regarding the ways in which the issues are being addressed. To be fair however, there have been no previous experience to fall back on in addressing the situation leading to a lot of trial-and-error approaches that may not be to everyone’s cup of tea.
Nonetheless, as we are entering the second year of the pandemic, and with the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, it is hoped that things will improve considerably. The fact of the matter is we have to learn to live with the virus, and as such, this requires a lot of adjustments in our lives including the way in which lessons are conducted.
School children are scheduled to return to schools as per the announcement made by the Ministry of Education. However, the new normal with all the SOPs are there to stay for the foreseeable future. Having said that, it is pertinent for teachers and policymakers to be aware that, while the new normal is here to stay, there are certain aspects in education that needs to be inculcated.
One such aspect is the concept of suhbah in education. This concept, which can be traced back to al-Ghazzali, in its simplest meaning can be defined as “friendship” which is related to the interaction of members of societies. From history, we note that Prophet Muhammad SAW was an example in using the approach of suhbah to guide and educate his companions. By being close to the teacher, in this instance the Prophet himself, his companions were able to learn many aspects of Islam either by way of what the Prophet said or practiced.
There are several verses in the Quran that stress on the need to be in close company of people who can bring us toward good and distancing us from evil. One such verse is verse 15 of Surah Luqman, translated thus: “But if they pressure you to associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. Still keep their company in this world courteously, and follow the way of those who turn to Me in devotion. Then to Me you will all return, and then I will inform you of what you used to do.”
When applied in education, suhbah actually highlights the need for a strong relationship between teachers and students. Such a strong relationship could not only make learning more effective, but would shape and mould students with the right character and attributes.
The challenge during the pandemic is that interaction between teachers and students have been limited. Classroom interactions are replaced by virtual interaction primarily in the form of online classes. Even when online classes take place, interaction is comparatively minimal to that of an actual face-to-face teaching and learning process.
In the context of e-learning, lessons can also take place offline when teachers e-mail tasks in the form of assignments or exercises for students to complete. This form of offline e-learning has an even minimal interaction compared to virtual classes.
In these circumstances, it would be difficult for teachers to gauge their students’ understanding as well as know their problems and difficulties if teachers do not form a good bond with their students. The concept of suhbah in essence encourages teachers to get to know their students better in order to forge a close relationship which will form a two-way trust between teachers and students.
This bond is especially critical during this challenging time of the pandemic. If there is no trust established between teachers and students, it would be difficult for teachers to identify any problem or difficulty that students are facing. Some students may not open up easily, and with the decreasing amount of contact hours between teachers and students due to e-learning, the problem can be more serious.
The basis of suhbah is empathy, compassion and concern that teachers have for their students. Education is not merely the process of disseminating knowledge. What is equally, if not more, pertinent is that education is also a process of personal development for students. This will not only make them people of knowledge, but also people of good character and virtue.
If a strong bond based on suhbah is established between teachers and students, the latter aim can be achieved.