“Schools in the private sector have risen to the challenge and have all through the lockdown periods engaged their students positively using all available channels. They are deploying technological tools to reach the children where they are. e.g Learning management softwares- moodle, Edmono, google classroom, Microsoft 365, and others using school website portals, Zoom app, whatsapp etc’.
-April 28, 2020, news/education
LAGOS-Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi is the Co-Founder, Amville school, a nursery, primary school and Principal consultant, Amville Consult. An advocate of quality education and lifelong learning with wealth of experiences and knowledge of subject matter for over 28 years. She is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos respectively. She has worked in K-12 schools as a teacher, administrator, school leader and Director, developing the teaching workforce to deliver on core responsibilities to children and communities. Mrs. Owo-Odusi’s desire is to see education in Nigeria grow to the best global standard with functioning and advanced educational materials. In this interview with Afrikanwatch Network Head of News/Strategy, Daniel Njienue, she shares her experiences, and challenges posed by the coronavirus to education, and efforts made so far in the sector, among others.
Mrs. Owo-OdusiExcerpts
As an educationist, do you think both the states and FGN have done enough in sensitizing the citizens on COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a storm that took most countries of the world by surprise. Since then, affected countries have come up with various measures to curtail the spread of the virus, as they were all caught unprepared. In Nigeria, as a fall out of the Ebola Epidemic yearsback, the government ensured some proactive steps, structure and sensitization, which became a spring board for other countries in Africa to follow.
Now, sensitizing the populace is a core function of government at all levels through agencies and ministries. Some effort has been made but a lot more could be done especially at the grassroot level. The private sector through special groups like Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have risen to the challenge and have been leaving up to expectation. However at the state level, through the local government’s structure; more sensitization is required to stem community spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, at this stage, education plays key role, that is, educating the citizens using various channels or languages the locals can understand, and this can further strength government’s efforts. We cannot rule out the use of radio drama/programmes, text messages in a simplistic language that an ordinary citizens will can decode. Also, empowering community leaders to use their channels too will help. This applies to both urban- poor and rural communities.
Negative impact of the COV-19 on primary and secondary education.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a halt in the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the entire country. Education which falls in the sector of socio economic activity has in no means been spared from the impact. Education is a continuous process. It does not end within the four walls of the classroom or hall. With special focus on its impact on k-12 education, that is, the nursery to secondary education, I will view that from different angles. Education has three main domains: cognitive, effective and psychomotor domains. Learning activities centred on these domains.
This pandemic and its effect has thrown up discussions and thoughts around education in the country. The negative part is the disruption in the school calendar and schooling. It has also disrupted school progress of students moving, to the next levels of their education. The other factors are loss of jobs due to inability of school owners to bear the cost as revenue has been halted and the endangered child is exposed to various hazards. Quite a number of children see their schools as a safe haven.
Simultaneously, the pandemic which many viewed to be negative in nature, has given rise to new opportunities in the sector. A major one, is the integration of technology in the e-learning process in schools.
The way forward to return to school using various channels.
As said by FW Robertson- “Instruction ends in the school room but education ends only with life”. The concern of any leader is safety and security of the citizens. This period calls for careful decision making. Moreover, children can continue with their learning, through virtual. Yes, education need not to be stopped. Learning can still continue via a range of instructional channels available at different levels, pending when it is safe to return physically to the classrooms. Schools have the opportunity to reopen via virtual or electronic platforms. This is a key opportunity that has emerged and I dare say, may be the future of learning in the country. Schools in the private sector have risen to the challenge and have all through the lockdown periods engaged their students positively using all available channels. They are deploying technological tools to reach the children where they are. e.g Learning management softwares- moodle, Edmono, google classroom, Microsoft 365, and others using school website portals, Zoom app, whatsapp etc.
The basic objective is to ensure that students do not have gaps in their learning. Hence any tool to aid dissemination of content and creative learning experiences in a most effective manner, enhance remote social interaction, and allow feedback through assessment and future learning will be encouraged.
Thanks to the staff and management of private schools who have set the ball rolling. The states and Federal government have also employed radio, TV and specific learning softwares as channels to reach a larger number of students both in public and private schools nationwide. With these in place, students can return to school virtually. It’s not novel as some other countries have and are doing this.
The implication
However, the structures to run this flawlessly are emerging. Factors like data cost, broad band speed, electricity, educator’s skillset, parental expectations and capabilities etc are issues this delivery style has brought, but it is surmountable.
Lastly, what is your own assessment of the palliative measures various governments have given?
The social welfare support system in the country has been unstructured or almost non-existent prior to now. Thankfully, this current administration from the Federal level has tried to create a system. It’s better than nothing at all. The ministry of humanitarian affairs has the responsibility to ensure that the poor and vulnerable are protected. Government has shown good faith and support so far. However, the lack of data and poor logistics seem to have characterized the palliative measures. The palliative to the business sector is skewed towards some specific industries and the terms are not generous enough. The cash transfer could have been handled better from the onset. However the new approach via BVN is a step in the right direction. SMEs that make up a greater portion of employers may be unable to cope with employment costs during this period. The impact may be colossal. Inasmuch as government may not be buoyant financially, some more palliatives could be given to the SMEs, such as distribution, Logistics and access to palliatives should be improved upon and made easier.
Furthermore, I applaud the palliatives to health workers in the country and the insurance schemes. Fortunately too, our cultural welfare system has also helped to close the gap. Corporates, religious groups, societies and associations, individuals, have all rallied round to support the government in providing assistance, this is commendable.
For breaking news, call +2348028592006, +2348148704264, email us: afrikanwatch122@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter: @afrikanwatchm, facebook: afrikanwatch Network, afrikanwatch, www.afrikanwatchngr.com, instagram, @afrikanwatchm
