With the shutdown of schools in most if not across Nigeria due to the coronavirus pandemic, some school managements have resorted to technology as they now send study materials to their pupils/students via their parents’ WhatsApp and Internet platforms pending when government will lift restrictions on movement.
However, there are several questions begging for answers:
• Do parents have internet facilities for this?
• How many homes have computers children can access?
• In homes without computers, will parents be willing to sacrifice their phones for e-learning?
• How many children are computer literate enough to have e-classes?
• How many parents have the time to follow through assisting their children with these materials?
If we must embrace technology and its obvious inherent advantages, we must first put the required things in place. As we also consider this step for learning, we have to consider the availability of parents’ and their readiness to be on standby when the need arises, all other things being equal.
Isi Roberts, a mother stated that her child’s school formed and added them to their class WhatsApp group. Roberts said the school management informed them that pupils will start learning via WhatsApp till the lockdown is over. When asked how she felt about the arrangement, she said, “What does my son want to learn through WhatsApp? I even plan on leaving the group to avoid piles of messages.”
Wondering why she thinks her son cannot learn from a WhatsApp group she was quick to add, “My son is just two years old. He doesn’t need that stress.” This also brings us to another question. Is there any age restrictions for this E-Learning being embraced? Can every child keep up with that style of learning? What about internet challenges?
Oge Fawole a, business woman and mother is irate with the whole arrangement. “Did the school or government provide Internet for me? Why will they want to use my internet to teach my children? Will they deduct it from the school fees next term?” she quizzed. Schools are only trying to step up their game and keep the children meaningfully engaged this period this the embracing of e-learning. Fawole still had a different opinion on this.
She said schools should wait for whatever plans the government is putting in place after this as she is certain they will adjust the calendar for the term. “Why don’t we wait and see what happens after this pandemic is over? How long do schools think they can keep up with this online learning for students?” She asked. “I have already told the school management not to bother sending me anything. There is already too much going on now to add that avoidable stress and cost. When my kids resume school, they can start learning from where they stopped.” Fawole concluded.
Materials sent by schools differ. They range from materials for their last term work, in preparation for the exams they couldn’t write, to materials for next term and general materials to keep them engaged.
A director at Ade Nobel Impact School, Ajah, Adebola Shittu said, “In my school, we sent some learning materials to parents through our WhatsApp group, based on their children’s classes and some general materials too, to keep them engaged.”
When asked if the materials were based on the curriculum, Shittu added, “We can’t really follow curriculum at this time. Since the kids are with their parents at home, we just provided them with learning materials and try to provide support when they need it. They can print it out and may also want to attempt them using their phones or computer. The materials also provide parents with something to work with.” This is one good step is also meant to limit the amount of time children spend on their gadgets since the materials are printable. “We are in challenging times, so we have to be sensitive about the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the parents and their children at this time.” Shittu stressed.
With questions begging for answers, schools have a lot to take into consideration before embracing and embarking on e-learning during this lockdown period. For one, parents may also be saving funds in these trying times and barely subscribe their internet service regularly.
