With COVID-19 inducing a sudden shift away from traditional classroom settings in many parts of the world, many Nigerians are skeptical about the feasibility of adopting online learning if the pandemic persists. But to what extent is this shift impacting the Nigerian education sector?
Many developed countries have started to utilize technology to support remote learning and online learning during the COVID-19 crisis. Sadly, in Nigeria, even before pandemic, there was already low adoption in education technology. Whether it is video conferencing tools like Zoom or online learning software, there has been an obvious lack of optimism or ability in technology usage in many schools.
As people across the globe continue to tout the need for EdTech, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), is quoted to have said: “It (virtual learning) will not work. Let’s break it down; when you talk of virtual learning practically online teaching and learning, I think the first question we need to ask ourselves is: do we have the infrastructure for that? When you talk of infrastructures in the institutions concerned, do they have facilities and if you want to take it to individuals, can they afford it?”
Apparently, the professor’s concerns are valid as there are innumerable challenges to online learning in Nigeria; not many students (and even teachers) can access reliable internet connectivity or afford a computer. However, the world is recording the largest “online shift” in the history of education and the Nigerian education sector needs to bolster its capabilities to develop online learning tools for teachers and students.
The Ministry of Education needs to urgently provide a structure that replicates traditional classrooms through digital learning tools. Lecturers and students need to be re-orientated and prepared to integrate EdTech as an important component of school education. To not do these quickly, would mean denying Nigerian students access to education in a time of crisis.
