FRI, APRIL 03 2020-theG&BJournal- All schools at all levels in the country are shutdown temporarily as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the globe currently. By UNESCO’s count 39, 440,016 children are out of school in Nigeria. And it is not certain for how long they will be.
In other climes, some form of learning is still ongoing despite the crisis. And these are societies that have hugely invested in developing their education system.
|Related article: COVID-19- Nigeria update: Health Minister warns community transmission on the ascendancy, 10 new cases confirmed to take total to 184
https://govandbusinessjournal.ng/covid-19-nigeria-update-health-minister-warns-community-transmission-on-the-ascendancy-10-new-cases-confirmed-to-take-total-to-184/
For some experts, that the children are sent home with no mechanism to continue learning is a stark reminder of how uncoordinated the Nigerian education system has been, and reflects the level of underclass that has emerged in the country in the past decade.
‘’This is the right time to sit down and reflect on how to find a long-term fix for the sector, a comprehensive re-evaluation of how to deliver quality education in the country while incorporating schooling even in times of crisis like the COVID-19 crisis,’’ says Dr C. Obutte, a law lecturer at the University of Ibadan.
Save The Children, an organisation that champions the right and interest of children worldwide, published a report today that underscores the need for education to be integrated in the current response of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Much of the focus in Nigeria has been on managing the outcome on the economy and the healthcare system.
“Managing the health crisis and containing the virus must be a priority of course, but so is ensuring that children can continue their education from home. So far, limited opportunities have been put into place to ensure the continuity of education for children at home. This is a challenge that governments will have to respond to, with the help of the international community. If we relegate this continuity of education to the background, many children, especially girls may drop out of school all together. The Ebola outbreaks, even if it is a different epidemic, should be a lesson for us” he concluded,’’ said Philippe Adapoe, Regional Director for Save the Children West and Central Africa region.
‘’The disease may disappear over time, but children will continue to suffer the consequences for the rest of their lives”, Adapoe added.
Save the Children also called on governments and international community to ensure that measures are in place to mitigate the impact of school closing down.
‘’In Africa, where millions don’t have access to internet, tools such as radio programs and TV programs can help children access alternative education. It is vital that governments support teachers and equip them with the skills to provide quality distance learning.’’
Indeed, the learning facilities are in dire condition in the country. Currently, the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) is on strike and they strike almost every year. As noted by one education expert, most federal schools are not functional. They are not equipped for learning in times of crisis. Basic amenities like electricity, online learning infrastructure and tool kits are absent.
‘’If we are to move education forward, this is the time to aim for a far more radical new ways of delivering education, says Obutte. ‘’The focus should be on how to make learning routinely accessible to all by spending wisely the little money the federal government allocates to education every year, especially in crisis period.’’
|twitter:@theGBJournal|email: info@govandbusinessjournal.com.ng|
