DANGERS OF COVID-19 ON NIGERIA'S EDUCATION SECTOR -By Sikiru Issa Nuhu

DANGERS OF COVID-19 ON NIGERIA'S EDUCATION SECTOR -By Sikiru Issa Nuhu

The Corona virus pandemic, also known as Covid-19 since its outbreak in Wuhan, China, has become the new global trend.                                   

Globally, as governments fight to end this pandemic, the reality is still; no one knows when the fight against this deadly virus will end with victory on our side. This Pandemic has also revealed our inefficiencies in adopting the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis model as a country.

While some countries are running into recession, others are getting back on their feet to fight back.

The world has advanced technologically and this is obviously attributable to the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) particularly in the education sector.

E-learning is fast becoming popular in instructional delivery methods especially in tertiary institutions across developed countries.

A 2014 study claimed that; In Nigeria, its usage as an instructional method of teaching and learning needs to be emphasized in line with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.

Other studies have further shown low level in the usage of electronic aided facilities in teaching and learning in Nigeria.

Mr. Sikiru Issa Nuhu

The Covid-19 pandemic which brought about closure of schools, also revealed that only few private schools could switch to or adopt e-learning in Nigeria.

Developed countries who already practiced both on-site and online learning before the pandemic are not disturbed as such school activities are still alive.

The closure of schools at all levels of education can be described as a catastrophe to humanity, probably worse than the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our public schools in Nigeria who were never engaged in virtual learning now find it difficult to continue teaching and learning. The adoption of radio and television alternative classes can only be beneficial to a select few and cannot be used to justify knowledge passed holistically, and as result, this affects academic performances generally.

How can pupils from play-group, pre-nursery and nursery learn through media teaching? How many students from basic and post-basic sit and listen to radio and television classes? How many private schools have the facilities to take learning virtually?

When students go on academic breaks and resume schools, teachers take time to bring back the spirit of learning to them. This Pandemic has given them an unsolicited break for over 3 months. A break never experienced recently in Nigeria before now and obviously a threat to education in Nigeria.

It is time the bridge Quality of teaching and learning in both Public and Private schools in Nigeria. This is the right time to make sure we fully integrate IT to our educational sector.

This Pandemic has brought us to the reality that we need to refresh and open up a new page to education in Nigeria.

Today we have Covid-19, do we have to wait for another Pandemic before we shield and implement needful measures to ensure continued learning?

There are numerous available and comprehendible software, applications and databases that can be incorporated to make learning easy for all.

There is need for active collaboration and partnership between educational institutions and technological organizations in Nigeria.

This is a wakeup call to action and not an attempt to condemn the existing system. Together we can rewrite the history of our dear State and Country at large.

 Written by:
Sikiru Issa Nuhu
Convener Kwara Education Reform Summit 2019.
sikiruissanuhu@gmail.com