‘Listening governor’ NANS hails Abiodun over schools reopening, makes more requests

The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students Southwest (NANS Zone D) has hailed the Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for reopening of schools in the state.

The body described Abiodun as a listening governor, father, a lover of education and his administration as students-friendly.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Deputy Coordinator of NANS, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The statement read;

”A staggered reopening is indeed a brilliant approach to studying as we gradually adjust to a new lifestyle as students with consciousness of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. It will also allow management of schools at all levels ample time to restructure their models of running to fit into the demanding, yet necessary trend.

”As Oliver Twists, however, we still have more to demand from the government.

”In order for the reopening of the educational institutions to be safe, adequate provision of WHO standard COVID-19 safety materials must be made available across all schools. The government should partner with management of our institutions to make this possible.

”A little more attention should also be paid to the education sector in general. As one of the pacesetter states when it comes to matter of academics in our dear country, we must stand out by every standard.

”The pandemic has exposed a lot of lapses to the educational sector. The art of computer operation and virtual learning should be inculcated in Ogun State students for others to emulate.

”The e-Learning initiative should have been a ready alternative to in-school learning since the indefinite closures. Unfortunately, it was so difficult to adopt because enough and adequate attentions have not been paid to this learning method before now.

”Nigerian students have very poor inclination when it comes to the use of internet aided learning and general computer usage. This is why the initiative was not warmly welcomed and did not record the desired level of effectiveness nationwide.

“Hence, we opine that more attention be given to e-Learning and general computer usage from the grassroots, primary and secondary schools precisely. Functional ICT centres should also be provided in higher institutions to aid e-Learning.

”Infrastructural development should also be fast tracked in our schools. Ogun tertiary institutions have insufficient class room spaces, poor furniture fittings, poorly furnished laboratories, poorly maintained and abandoned structures. All these terribly affects the conduciveness of learning environment before the pandemic. How do schools faced with these challenges manage social distancing and other COVID-19 prevention guidelines.”