STUDENTS EXPRESSED MIXED REACTIONS OVER REOPENING OF SCHOOLS
Eric Adah
Schools all over the country were instructed to shut down in March this year, due to the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic, comparing most of the schools to end the second term, untimely in other to meet-up with the directive by the government.
However, the federal government Task Force Team on Covid-19 headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha announced reopening of schools in August for exiting classes like SS3, JSS3 and pupils in primary 6. This announcement triggered mixed reactions. Joy Torkuma, an SS3 Student of Federal Government College Vandeikya said she is happy about the resumption so she can write her SSCE examination. She said she has passed her Jamb and is waiting for the SSCE Result for university admission. However, she appealed to the relevant authority in charge of the various final year examinations to beat down marking scheme because they were unable to complete their syllabus due to the total lockdown of school, making it impossible to resume for the usual SS3 extension during holidays.
Another student of SS3, Samuel Ornguga expressed concern about the WAEC timetable which he said did not give much spacing to prepare adequately for every subject. This is a big challenge because the students did not study adequately. On the issue of Covid-19 preventive measures he said, “it is very uncomfortable, wearing facemask for 3 hours to write exams.”
Speaking to a pupil of Crown Star Nursery and Primary School Makurdi, Philip Oche said he is afraid interact with his mates in school, because of what his parents told him about Covid-19. He expressed sadness that school is boring as many of his classmates have not resume and his juniors in other classes still remain at home; recreational activities have been suspended. He also said it is discomforting wearing mask throughout the school period, he concluded by praying to God to bring an end to the pandemic.
Speaking to a parent Mr. Simon Tile said he has not seen adequate preventive measures for schools’ reopening and that he is not ready to risk his children’s life by allowing them to resume back to school this year. He stressed that Covid-19 cases have continued to rise in the country despite preventive measures.
Principal, Sunshine Secondary School Wannue, Mr. Jude Tortiv said they have put in place adequate measures directed by the state Ministry of Education to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He said they made sure all the classes have running water and alcohol based hand sanitizer. Secondly, he said all students and staff must wear face mask including the WAEC Staff posted to the school.
The Principal however appeal to the government to open up schools for all categories of students just as the South African Government has done. In his take, Covid-19 prevention awareness has reached every part of the country.
A teacher in Government Model Secondary School who spoke on the condition of anonymity decry the high risk they are going through as it is very difficult to maintain social distancing with the students. He appealed to the state government to pay hazard allowances like is done in the Ministry of Health.
As at the time of filing this report, over 50 thousand cases were discovered in Nigeria with over 1000 fatalities. So far, countries like Russia and Argentina have begun to test vaccines. But it might be long before the remedy will go round. Meanwhile, the populace have defied preventive measures as they continue to go about normal activities. Many have leaved the pandemic to faith. On schools’ resumption, there are indications that sooner than later, all educational institution will be reopen to refashion the thwarted academic calendar.
Eric Adah
Schools all over the country were instructed to shut down in March this year, due to the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic, comparing most of the schools to end the second term, untimely in other to meet-up with the directive by the government.
However, the federal government Task Force Team on Covid-19 headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha announced reopening of schools in August for exiting classes like SS3, JSS3 and pupils in primary 6. This announcement triggered mixed reactions. Joy Torkuma, an SS3 Student of Federal Government College Vandeikya said she is happy about the resumption so she can write her SSCE examination. She said she has passed her Jamb and is waiting for the SSCE Result for university admission. However, she appealed to the relevant authority in charge of the various final year examinations to beat down marking scheme because they were unable to complete their syllabus due to the total lockdown of school, making it impossible to resume for the usual SS3 extension during holidays.
Another student of SS3, Samuel Ornguga expressed concern about the WAEC timetable which he said did not give much spacing to prepare adequately for every subject. This is a big challenge because the students did not study adequately. On the issue of Covid-19 preventive measures he said, “it is very uncomfortable, wearing facemask for 3 hours to write exams.”
Speaking to a pupil of Crown Star Nursery and Primary School Makurdi, Philip Oche said he is afraid interact with his mates in school, because of what his parents told him about Covid-19. He expressed sadness that school is boring as many of his classmates have not resume and his juniors in other classes still remain at home; recreational activities have been suspended. He also said it is discomforting wearing mask throughout the school period, he concluded by praying to God to bring an end to the pandemic.
Speaking to a parent Mr. Simon Tile said he has not seen adequate preventive measures for schools’ reopening and that he is not ready to risk his children’s life by allowing them to resume back to school this year. He stressed that Covid-19 cases have continued to rise in the country despite preventive measures.
Principal, Sunshine Secondary School Wannue, Mr. Jude Tortiv said they have put in place adequate measures directed by the state Ministry of Education to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He said they made sure all the classes have running water and alcohol based hand sanitizer. Secondly, he said all students and staff must wear face mask including the WAEC Staff posted to the school.
The Principal however appeal to the government to open up schools for all categories of students just as the South African Government has done. In his take, Covid-19 prevention awareness has reached every part of the country.
A teacher in Government Model Secondary School who spoke on the condition of anonymity decry the high risk they are going through as it is very difficult to maintain social distancing with the students. He appealed to the state government to pay hazard allowances like is done in the Ministry of Health.
As at the time of filing this report, over 50 thousand cases were discovered in Nigeria with over 1000 fatalities. So far, countries like Russia and Argentina have begun to test vaccines. But it might be long before the remedy will go round. Meanwhile, the populace have defied preventive measures as they continue to go about normal activities. Many have leaved the pandemic to faith. On schools’ resumption, there are indications that sooner than later, all educational institution will be reopen to refashion the thwarted academic calendar.
