COVID-19: STAKEHOLDERS IN ANAMBRA QUESTIONED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE EDUCATION

Some stakeholders in the education sector in Anambra  have  questioned the effectiveness of the online education of students adopted by secondary schools in the state. The Anambra State Government while lifting the Covid19 induced restrictions, directed teachers to resume work while the students are to follow suit at home through online classes.

Our correspondent reported that:  Different schools in the state have chosen different distance teaching patterns such as WhatsApp and Telegram when most parents and students do not have android phones and internet access through which this e-learning is conducted.

Speaking on the matter,  a University Lecturer, Dr.  Festus Onuegbu said that it is counter-productive as most students and parents are not good at using Whatsapp and Telegram. For Dr. Alex Ugwuja,  any learning process devoid of learner-teacher interface could not be an effective means of educating the students.

A parent, Mrs. Rejoice Nwando, said that most schools have even conducted their mid-term tests and planning to conduct third term examinations without considering those parents and students with no android phones as well as rural dwellers with no access to Internet and  steady power supply who would definitely find it impossible to follow up with the e-learning approach.

Another parent Mrs Nwando further enjoined school authorities not use this to grade their students as this online education is not all inclusive. Other respondents commended the schools’ effort at engaging the students while they remain at home but pointed that it cannot be effective in anyway considering the fact that majority of parents and students do not have access to smart phones, steady internet and power supply in their different localities with which they can follow up with the online education.

IFEANYICHUKWU CHINWUKO