Nigerian Students: Mixed Reactions Trail Introduction of E-learning Amid COVID-19

 

Sequel to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu on Thursday 2nd of April 2020, opened talks with 237 Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts on how to reopen session through online classes.

Recall that all higher institutions across Nigeria have been shut down to contain the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

The Nigerian students have expressed mixed reactions on this issue, some students opined that the proposed E-learning made by the Minister of Education is a good development and it would be good if Nigeria can adopt online classes during this period to continue learning activities in our tertiary institutions.

However, contrary to the opinion of some students who are in support of virtual teaching, other students have vehemently kicked against this proposed online classes by the Minister of Education based their argument on the numerous factors ranging from the lack of facilities to carry out this E-learning platform, Bad networks, students that don't have a smartphone and those that cannot afford money to subscribe.

The report gathered the opinion of students from 6 different Universities across Nigeria which include Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), University Of Ilorin, University of Abuja, University of Maiduguri, Kwara State University and Alhikma University.

However, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto has introduced these online classes for postgraduate students and both Kwasu and Al-hikma University have started E-learning with both undergraduate and postgraduate students respectively.

Onyilo Micah, a 200L student of Political Science at UDUS told allnews that E-learning can be implemented in Nigerian institutions but there are certain problems that will hinder the execution of this E-learning.

He added numerous reasons this E-learning cannot be implemented in our institutions in Nigeria ranging from bad network, lack of facilities to operate it, some students who don't have a smartphone and some who cannot afford the subscription.

“Some students may use the opportunity to be online all the time and be doing unnecessary things which don't relate to their studies," he said.

Samuel Otokpa commended the efforts of the Minister of Education but emphasized that some students may not be able to afford the gadget to enjoy this virtual teaching.

“Even if we did at the moment, it's going to be hard to be implemented for the fact that a number of students aren't very literate with computers. So aside from getting the E-learning facilities, the school would have to set up a committee to tutor students on how to use those facilities and that would take a while." he opined.

Mustapha Abeeb, a 400L student of Law at the University of Ilorin has regarded the proposed E-learning as a welcome idea and it will surely be carried out successfully without any obstacle.

He explained that this E-learning is of no change to the prior mode of teaching relying on the fact that there are some lectures where students have never or shortly taken lectures and yet, they passed the examination.

“I cannot generalise this but can only opine based on the status quo of my own school. In the University of Ilorin, there is a medium through which the entire students of 300L of the University had an online class on GSE( a general course). If this could be done without a problem. I am sure this is as well available in other universities. If yes then we have facilities to carry out the E-learning process in my own Institution." he confirmed.

Meanwhile, Ambali Abdulazeez Muhammad, a 200L student of law from the University of Maiduguri kicked against the E-learning platform stated that the online classes are not the best option in this period. He said it's possible for the higher institutions to implement this because of the difficulties and disadvantages attached to it if it is implemented in Nigeria.

He added that our tertiary institutions may execute this online class but it would disvalue the professional courses such as Law, engineering, medicine which may lead to the production of unprofessional graduates.

He, however, opposed the E-learning proposed by the Minister of Education and urged the Federal government and concern stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the ongoing strike.

 “So I opposed the motion of establishment of E-learning at this time of deadly virus. I implore the Federal government and concern stakeholders consisting of ASUU to rapidly find a lasting solution to the ongoing indefinite strike on time." he urged.

While speaking with Mudathir Hayatullahi Folorunsho, a 200 level English Language student of UDUS described the E-learning as a good and encouraging idea if it can be implemented but doubted whether E-learning may be possible in Nigeria.

He, however, lauded the university management for introducing E-learning for postgraduate students and would be happy if it can be extended to undergraduate students.

“E-learning introduced by the Minister to continue our education while at home as a good and encouraging idea as it will promote the education system of the country but to me, it is just a proposal that may not work as we lack many materials for the effectiveness of such in our country.

“I hereby commend the effort of UDUS Management for introducing E-learning for postgraduate students urged the management to extend it to undergraduate level." he urged.

 Ishiguzoh Joy, a 200-Level student of Public Administration from the University of Abuja described E-learning as a welcome idea and good initiative but the disadvantages in this E-learning Platform would make it difficult to be implemented.

She said the institution has been battling with the portal issue which hasn't been resolved up till the moment even though they are taken action on it.

“That's a major disadvantage in adopting this E-learning,. even browsing in the school is usually slow due to network problems," she said.

Can Nigerian Institutions Carry out this E-learning Platform?

The Nigerian Students have expressed their opinions on whether our tertiary institutions have enough facilities to carry out these online classes. Some are of the opinion that their institution can adopt this E-learning because there is enough facilities while some students are of the opinion that their Institution cannot execute it.

In an interview with Abdulmunafi Abdullahi Bukar, a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Shariah and Civil Law Diploma 1 has made it known that E-learning would have been possible if our tertiary institutions have made provision for it before now, but carry it out now would be difficult because of inadequate facilities in our institutions.

“As there's no specific lectures sites for all departments, no universal application where everyone can access his lecturers nor their lectures framework. It's practically impossible for now until maybe sometimes in the near future." he opined.

Akintoye Mayowa, a 300-Level student of Biomedical engineering in Uniabuja, said that the Nigeria Institutions are not ready for E-learning due to insufficient facilities.

 Muhammad Bello Tahir, a 200-Level student of Law from the University of Maiduguri stated that E-learning can be achieved partially but not totally due to some certain circumstances.

 “I think it is partially achievable based on the fact that some Nigerian universities are either underfunded or the funds disbursed to them are mismanaged, constituting a huge difficulty in realising the aspirations. However, it is possible in some tertiary institutions across the nation.
 
 He added that “E-learning doesn't suit some courses like Law, Medicine, Engineering and will surely reduce the level of professionalism." he said.

Can ASUU Strike Affect The Proposed Virtual Teaching?

Some students are of the opinion that the ongoing ASUU strike may affect the virtual teaching introduced by the Minister of Education due to the fact that ASUU and Federal government hasn't reached an agreement.

They, however, pleaded to both parties to reach an agreement so that the education will continue.

Sa'ad Onikolobo, a 400-Level student of Education Biology at the University of Ilorin, said that the ongoing ASUU strike will surely affect the proposed E-learning, unless if both parties reach an agreement. He said :

 “Our colleges and polytechnics may partake but the Universities may not be possible because of the ongoing ASUU strike." he said.

Tule Anita, a 200L student of Biology Education at the University of Abuja said the ASUU strike will surely affect the E-learning because the lecturers who are on strike will be the one to carry out this virtual teaching.

She added, “I don't think our Institution can carry out this E-learning platform based on lack of facilities and instruments."

Sanusi Makama Dallatu, a 100-Level student of Chemistry from Unimaid also told allnews that the ASUU strike will surely affect the virtual teaching proposed by the Minister of Education.

Mustapha Akinsunbo Adedibu, a 200-Level student of law at Unimaid, said that without calling off the ongoing strike, no virtual teaching can be carried out with these lecturers.

“The ongoing ASUU strike is a great threat to the E-platform because whether online or in class, the moment lecture is taking place, then the strike is not effective any longer. So, for it to be possible, ASUU has to call off strike, even though, the E-platform cannot take place for now because most of the students lack access to the internet," he said.

Kwasu and Al-hikma Students Share Experience

The students of Al-hikma University and Kwara State University have explained how this E-learning is being done in their institution. It was revealed that the lecture is always on Whatsapp whereby the lecturer will drop a voice note or by typing mode for the students, this lecture used to hold on Whatsapp groups that were created for that purpose which contain both the students and lecturers.

Habeebullah Abdulrauf, a 300-Level student of Arabic explained to this reporter how this E-learning is being carried out in his institution but expressed his sadness for his inability to get a smartphone for him to enjoy the E-learning.

“Well, I don't have a smartphone to receive the lecture through online classes, but I used to go to my friend's place to listen to the lecture. At the time of the lecture, the lecturer will just drop voice notes to the Whatsapp group that has been created and all the students will listen to it.

 “We will drop our question in the group and the lecturer will answer it. After the lecture, we will now write the attendance online which will be comprised of the students who attended the lecture on that day," he explained.

However, contrary to what Habeebullah is doing, Yusuf Abdulrasaq a 200-Level student of Islamic Studies also stated that he didn't have a smartphone and he has never bothered himself to receive any lecture since the beginning of this E-learning platform.

“I don't have a smartphone, and that's the reason I haven't listened to any lecture since the beginning of this E-learning platform. Even my friend who used to receive lecture on his phone has stopped now because there's no money to subscribe," he revealed.

While speaking with Sulyman Halimat Opeyemi, a 200L student of English Language at Kwasu explained how this E-learning is being done in their Institution and expressed his gladness over the introduction of this E-learning platform by their Institution.

She said E-learning is just like a normal class whereby the students will firstly write attendance for 10minutes before the arrival of the lecturer and the lecturer will deliver his lecture by dropping the messages to the Whatsapp group before the students will be allowed to ask their question.

 “This E-learning is even more comfortable to ask a question and also serves as an advantage for those who used to feel shy to ask a question directly in the class," she said.

AbdulAzeez Atere, an agricultural student at Al-hikma University said he supported this E-learning earlier before experiencing it, but after the beginning of this E-learning, he discovered is not the best option based on the fact that the students must subscribe at least 200# every week and other things.

“I don't even like the way it's done, financial problem, unstable electricity and some may forget they have a lecture because they are at home."

 

Story sent in by Abdulrasheed Hammad