Finally, the end is almost here for the pandemic as some states and schools are reopening, while others are announcing and fixing dates for resumption. In this article, you’ll get to know which and which schools have fixed a date for the resumption and how you should prepare towards going back to school.
The Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown which put a halt on all academic activities starting from March is gradually becoming a thing of the past, although, the impact it has had and is still having on Nigeria’s and the World’s economy would never be forgotten.
The educational sector had and is still having its own fair share, with schools at all levels being shut down and most are still shut, but the good news is that some schools and states have already resumed, some have begun preparations, and some are drafting frameworks that would guide the reopening of schools fully.
Which Schools Have Resume?
Kogi and Lagos states took the lead in announcing resumption and schools reopening date, while states like Cross River, Oyo, Osun, Benue, Delta, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Taraba have already fixed a date for the resumption and are preparing towards the date.
Kano State is not left out, as the state government recently ordered reopening for just six technical colleges in the state for the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) exams.
Furthermore, tertiary institutions like Lagos State University (LASU), Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Kogi State Polytechnic (KSP), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (formerly Anambra State University (ANSU)), Babcock University, Clifford University, Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) etc. have set dates in response to the announcement made by their respective state governments on the reopening of schools. The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) also announced a resumption date for pre-degree and remedial programmes respectively and only.
Others such as the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), is currently renovating the schools’ main gate in preparation for possible resumption. The Polytechnic Ibadan, Kogi State Polytechnic and Osun State University (UNIOSUN) have both released revised academic calendars that would guide the resumption process.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has debunked the 28th September resumption date that has been in circulation. In the same vein, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has equally announced that no resumption date has been set yet, apart from its remedial programmes as stated above. The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro has equally released a notice warning student not to resume, and to exercise more patience, while continuing with the virtual lectures through the Coursera platform.
Also See: ASUU Strike: The Biggest Setback to Virtual Learning in Nigeria
How Would Resumption Look Like?
The resumption in some schools would be in batches, Lagos State University (LASU) has made this clear for one; final year students would resume first, then others would follow much later.
From indications, most schools might follow this part. In the bid to maintain social distancing much more, more lecture halls and classrooms would be available to space up students when final year students are no more. So if the final year students resume first and quickly round up their programmes, this would work just fine.
A lot of institutions before the lockdown were either preparing for tests, some were in their revision week and some were even preparing for examinations. Most of these schools are already supposed to be in the second semesters of their various academic calendars and some even preparing to begin a new session.
Although the future looks bright for private institutions, which continued their academic activities virtually e.g. Ajayi Crowther University recently concluded its 2019/2020 session. But public universities, on the other hand, are far behind and to meet up, students would likely be rushed as the revised academic calendar to be released by such schools would be quite fast in order for the public institutions to meet-up to their private counterparts.
Let’s not even ignore the fact that there is still a pending industrial action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). ASUU recently shut out students of LASU from resuming. Students in public varsities might end up resuming much more later if the federal government and ASUU do not end up on the same page soon enough.
Also See: NUC Begins Assessment of Universities Ahead Reopening, Laments of ASUU Strike
Nevertheless, your preparation matters a lot.
How Students Should Prepare for Schools Reopening?
All schools would resume in adherence to the guidelines set in place by the federal government. Students would be expected to resume with compulsory use of face mask and maybe even a hand sanitizer. There would likely be a compulsory handwashing setting at the main gate of each school. Unnecessary social gatherings and activities might be put on hold. There might also be a compulsory COVID-19 test for some schools, and students who would need to leave the school premises might be required to get a COVID-19 compulsory test before entering the school premises.
Remember, there is no much time, your lecturers and teachers would expect you to have been reading all through the lockdown. If you have not been, it is not too late to begin. Read and expect tests, quizzes, defences, reports and even examinations anytime!
To stay updated with the latest announcements of schools reopening, always check our homepage: www.nigerianscholars.com