Africa’s COVID-19 case counts crossed 600,000 this week – with more than 300,000 recoveries and nearly 15,000 deaths. As of now, South Africa has registered the highest tally of cases, followed by Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana. However, recovery rates are improving in many countries, especially in Ghana where it stands at about 80%. Most of the nations are prioritizing phased reopening of businesses to boost economy. Schools and universities have resumed classes in some countries, even as efforts are also underway to make education accessible via online learning and broadcasts. Regrettably, central African countries such as DR Congo and Cameroon that were till recently among the top 15 source markets for Canadian institutions are battling civic unrests and/or multiple epidemics at the same time.

News from NORTH AFRICA

Algeria – Algeria is implementing a targeted lockdown in hotspots. The country’s land, air and sea borders will likely remain closed to most other nations until the end of COVID-19 crisis. EU may open borders for Algeria if the country follows suit in a reciprocity move. Baccalaureate exams were conducted late last month.

Egypt – The country opened their borders for selected countries and international flights have resumed. Thanaweyya Amma (or school leaving) exams were concluded earlier this month. High school students who sat for these exams will be granted grace marks amounting to 10% of their score in each subject.

Morocco – The northern port city of Tangiers is under lockdown to contain a new outbreak of coronavirus. The country is at present divided into two zones. Zone 1 (90% of population) has relaxed restrictive measures, allowing residents to travel within the zone, with access to limited services. Zone 2 is still under tighter curfew laws. Morocco’s baccalaureate exams are presently underway.

Tunisia – As of July 15^th, the number of active coronavirus cases in the country are less than 200. Tunisia had lifted its nationwide curfew and opened businesses and inter-city/region travel on June 17^th. The country is first in north Africa to open international borders this week. No announcement on the baccalaureate exams schedule.

News from EAST AFRICA

Kenya – The phased reopening of the country is underway. The ban on movement of people in and out of Nairobi will be lifted. Domestic flights will be resumed from July 15^th and international flights from August 1^st. Easing of restrictions is an attempt to kickstart the ailing economy after about four months of complete and partial lockdowns. All schools in Kenya will remain closed until next January. Final year exams to be held in October and November have been cancelled as well. The Government is in favour of students repeating a year because schools have remained closed since March – only about three months after the start of new academic year. However, colleges and universities might be allowed to reopen in September if they abide by regulatory guidelines.

Mauritius – Mauritius lifted its lockdown on May 30^th. The national carrier as yet is only involved in repatriation operations, but international commercial flights may also resume in September. Schools follow different systems, such as British, Australian, French, Cambridge International, International Baccalaureate, etc., with differing calendars and exam dates.

News from WEST AFRICA

Ghana – Ghana is among those countries in West Africa that have been hard hit by the coronavirus, but has managed a high recovery rate (of about 80%). Ghana’s borders remain closed but economy is gradually reopening. Final year students at universities, high schools and junior high schools have resumed in-person classes. Meanwhile, radio is touted as a crucial medium to increase access to education across this west African country. The West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be held in August.

Nigeria – Nigeria relaxed its lockdown earlier this month but may reimpose partial restrictions if the coronavirus situation worsens in the coming weeks. Domestic flights have resumed. Local news channels reported that internet subscriptions rose by 5 million during the last four months and over half of them were from April, the first month of intense lockdown.  Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has made a U-turn on resuming in-person classes for final year students at high schools and junior high schools, and cancelled WASSCE. The government indicated that students might have to repeat a year. The West African Examination Council (WAEC) will present the board’s final decision soon. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is reportedly not in favour of reopening universities as yet.

Cameroon – Eased lockdown restrictions last month and reopened airports for domestic travel despite a surge in coronavirus cases. Classes for final year students in junior high schools, high schools and universities were resumed according to news sources about two week ago.

News from SOUTHERN AFRICA

South Africa – South Africa eased its lockdown restrictions to restart businesses and revive economy, but remains under level III lockdown (night-time curfew). The second phase of reopening of schools, i.e. for grades 6 and 11, came into effect last week. Classes for grades 7 and 12 were resumed last month.

Zambia – Opening up businesses, especially tourism sector, is an immediate priority of the government, according to local news sources. Zambia was one of the first countries in Africa to open international borders and airports. Final year students in schools and universities are already back in class for in-person delivery.

WWEC Initiatives

1. Maple Assist has initiated a new bi-weekly Q&A Instagram Live series with immigration lawyer and CEO of Visto, Josh Schachnow. The first session was held on July 10^th with the participation of over 300 students looking to study in Canada . The interactive virtual meet went on to garner 600+ IGTV views.
2. The first part of our much-awaited Wellness Webinar Series for students was launched on July 13^th on the theme: “What is the new normal? Accepting the current situation and moving forward”. Expert speakers on the panel were: Divya Verma, Counsellor at Scindia School, and Varadayini Gorhe and Keerthana Swaminathan, Sport and Performance Psychologists. The panellists engaged with more than 70 participants in an engrossing and informative session, after which students shared their feedback on the platform. Several students raised requests for more such sessions. Feedback- “The Webinar was excellent and carried a lot of valuable information. It was a great learning experience. I thank the host, each speaker and the organizing team.” “The webinar was really helpful. Looking forward to more such webinars.”
3. Our next Instagram Live session with Brock University is scheduled for July 17^th. The interaction will cover aspects of online learning, support initiatives for students around COVID-19 situation, and updates for Fall 2020 and January 2021 intakes. Catch the virtual meet hosting Victoria Steel (Associate Director of International Market Development) and Megha Srivastav (Relationship Manager – India and South Asian Markets) on our Instagram handle @mapleassistcanada at 9.00am ET/6.30pm IST on Friday, July 17th.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Worldwide EduConnect International Recruitment Solutions: https://worldeduconnect.com/ WWEC LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/worldwide-educonnect Maple Assist Blog: https://www.mapleassist.com/blogs/ Maple Assist YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXFhQ5_uIF4cQLidiOO_m-Q Scotiabank Resource Centre for Newcomers to Canada: https://startright.scotiabank.com/covid-19-resources.html