Photograph — Study in nigeria

Ekiti state government revealed on Sunday, March 29, 2020, that primary school students will begin learning exercises via the state-owned radio station-Ekiti FM 91.5 in order to minimize the disruption of the school calendar caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Earlier in the month, Governor of Ekiti state Kayode Fayemi directed all public and private institutions in the state to close down, and also banned all public gatherings of more than 20 persons. Subsequently, Prof Francisca Aladejana, The Chairman of Ekiti State’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) disclosed that “the school on the air program was designed to positively engage school-age children who are on an indefinite break as part of efforts by the government to curtail the spread of the deadly coronavirus.”

Starting from Monday, March 30, Aladejana stated that “primary school pupils would on each weekday be taught one out of English Language, Yoruba, Basic Science, Civic Education, and National Value as well as Mathematics.” The Chairman of Ekiti State’s SUBEB said that the lessons would be interactive to facilitate proper appraisal of the impact of the proposed program. Aladejana unveiled that there would be a phone-in segment at the end of each class to allow for questions and answers on the topic of the day, and also act as an evaluator on the extent of reach and impact the program has. 

Similarly, Aladejana urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the government’s initiative by ensuring that their children are active participants on the program which starts every weekday for 50 minutes between 3:10 pm and 4 pm.

In a blog post by the WorldBankGroup, about 120 countries have closed schools in primary, secondary and tertiary levels impacting almost a billion students across the globe. Although school closures seem to present a logical solution to enforcing social distancing within communities, prolonged closures tend to have a disproportionately negative impact on the most vulnerable students.  

Consequently, nations are advised to create opportunities for students to study at home so as not to disrupt their learning process outside school. Furthermore, educational interventions through the use of technology such as the internet, smartphones and distance learning are required to support student’s learning during this time.

In light of recent events, more nations are adopting new and creative ways of teaching and engaging children during the pandemic. Other states in Nigeria should imitate the admirable measure Ekiti state is undertaking to ensure that young children remain intellectually occupied during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

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