SciEtech

On the 19^th day of March, 2020 there was a circular from Federal Ministry of Education granting approval for the closure of all schools across the country for an unknown period, to prevent the spread of the deadly corona virus (COVID-19). Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was already on strike. Though the ASUU Chairman had earlier mentioned during an interview that all lecturers were ready to get back to work, as long as FG (Federal Government) will give in to their peaceful demand. The long ASUU strike which started before the lockdown in March 2020, was finally called off in December 2020, after dialogue and agreement between FG & ASUU.

After weeks and months at home, there’s likely to be a big disconnect between the students and their lecturers. A lot of these young people have experienced poverty and stress within the period, some may have seen family members become ill, or worse case, die. Many have lost the habits and character that school teaches them – sitting in groups to study, design and drawing practices, waiting in turn, knowing how to listen and cooperate with one another, etc. More than a few will exhibit the signs of post-traumatic stress upon resumption. The learning gaps will undoubtedly widen between students who couldn’t access the internet for learning due to several factors and those who were able to do that.

Some of the lecturers/students will need counselling, extra coaching and learning support lectures to help the weaker learners and most vulnerable ones settle down and catch up with school work. The pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of the global economy to lapses in essential supplies. It has exposed a lot on the infrastructure deficit in higher institutions to learning.

So what next with the plan to re-open schools?

What role however, can the University play in re-integrating its students back to the learning environment?

There is need for the following to be considered by every institution before re-opening the schools;

• Prioritizing the wellbeing of students and lecturers, by putting in place safety processes and equipment to facilitate safe learning environment. 
• Engaging host communities of schools, in the re-opening plans in order to reduce infiltration and inter-mingling to the barest minimum 
• Enforce regulatory processes to ensure everyone adheres strictly to all rules of COVID-19 
• Adjust lecture times for large classes set up monitoring teams to enable social distancing – this we know may attract financial implications as lecturers will be expected to now group classes.

The Government role                        

• Proper funding – for renovation of inadequate and deteriorating infrastructural facilities and inept regulation of the sector 
• Targeting resources where they are most needed to ensure the school environment is safe for students to resume studies 
• Setting up vocational skills and training centres across all states of the federation – this centres can serve as place of industrial attachment and postgraduate work experience for those in sciences, engineering and technology fields 
• The government should make sure it does not renege on its promises and agreement with the union

What roles can NGOs and Private Sectors play?

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