EITHER END

Virtual Learning in a Pandemic: Should Students be worried?

On this edition of Either End, Mashika Olamilekan and Tobi Odeyinka discuss whether or not virtual learning in a pandemic should be ring a bell of alarm amongst Students.
Mashika Olamilekan
YES!
It would not be incorrect to say that virtual learning in Nigerian Public Universities is a catastrophe lurking to emerge. The reasons are not farfetched, but before these reasons are put forward, here is a question to ponder on. Is virtual learning possible in our public universities?
One need not think too deep in answering this question as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had already provided an answer in its response to a request by the minister of education, Malam Adamu Adamu, that universities should adopt virtual learning because of the pandemic. ASUU, in a statement, argued that it is near impossible to achieve such feat. It said tertiary institutions in the country were not ready for virtual learning because of poor infrastructure, inadequate funding and lack of requisite skills, among other things. The union clearly pronounced virtual learning an impossibility in Nigeria.
So, here is another question: what has changed between when this statement was released and now to feel that we are ready for virtual learning?
In an institution where we can’t even access results online, should we trust such institution’s readiness for virtual learning? Of course the students should be worried. Should we even begin to talk about the poor internet service, irregular and unstable power supply, high bandwidth cost? Or that universities’ libraries in the country do not have, or is not known to have e-learning resources? These are factors that make worrying a wise thing for the students over virtual learning.
A recent failure of the virtual learning played out in the University of Lagos, when during test, students were not able to access the site; some could not get past the first question because of the sluggish network; some were logged out immediately after logging in and they couldn’t get back in. So many things happened during this test which resulted in mass failure. Students were livid, and they were right to be. This is a massive indication that the Nigerian tertiary institutions are not sophisticated enough for virtual learning and the evidences stare at us even in our “prestigious” First and Best University.
Moreover, virtual learning poses another problem in the financial aspect. Some students do not have smart phones or laptops, how then are they expected to take classes? Some cannot afford to buy data frequently as virtual learning would demand, and this is worrisome.
Students should not thank their stars that they are resuming, they should instead prepare for the worst that could happen, because truly, the future of virtual learning in Nigeria is bleak. It seems like a vision far off, with too many problems that the country is not ready to solve. Verily I say unto you, be worried of virtual learning.

Oluwatobi Odeyinka
No!
The only thing constant in life is change. The academic community, like other sectors, should embrace the new realities occasioned by Covid-19. If nothing, the pandemic has taught everyone that there are easier and more convenient ways of doing things. The long queues, overcrowded classes, and unnecessary gatherings you used to see, you shall see no more. So says the fearful god of COVID, worshipped with alcohol nicknamed ‘sanitizer’. Isn’t that something to be happy about?
In January, 2020, news flickered out from Wuhan in China that a novel virus was raging, with scores of persons hospitalized in the world’s economic capital. The Chinese government, notorious for media censorship and violation of freedom of expression, had attempted to conceal facts about the virus, and also refused to divulge information to the World Health Organisation. But thanks to Social media and the nosy Western traditional media, the world learnt about the virus.
The virus traveled through Asia, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, threatening socio-economic conventions in the world and forcing governments to make drastic, non-conformist decisions in economics, education, health, aviation, and various other sectors.
While the virus was raging in Europe, it had sent trepidation across the African continent. World leaders had argued that the virus would raze down Africa, one of the poorest continents in the world. But the W.H.O did not wait for the manifestations of that doom prophesy before declaring Covid-19 a pandemic.
Nigeria recorded its first case on February 27, 2020, when an Italian technology expert tested positive in Lagos. Since then the country records cases daily and today, the country has recorded over 150, 000 cases with over 1, 900 deaths. There were two periods of lockdown which led to closure of schools for about a year.
Health experts have said the shield against the virus require covering one’s nose and mouth with a mask and observance of social distance. How then can we return to school if we don’t adopt a new approach to learning?
While students of public institutions were at home, locked away from school by the government’s closure of schools and ASUU strike, our colleagues in private institutions refused to be stopped by COVID. The continued studying and even graduated, albeit virtually.
Academic studies have been delayed for about a year for students in public universities but since it is still unsafe for full physical resumption, we should brace up and ensure that we are not added to the chart of the world “Out-of-school children”.
While the testimonies from UNILAG and other public institutions are not encouraging, UI should blaze the trail, set the pace and teach others how to have a smooth learning experience through the cyber space. It is the time to prove to all doubters that indeed we are the First and the Best.
We should give the management a benefit of doubt that the miscellaneous fees added to the school fee this session would not go like those of the old days. Authorities should have learnt from the pandemic that it pays to be accountable and effective in administration. Covid-19 was the karma that hunted some of the destroyers of our health sector. Go to the First Cardiology Consultants Hospital in Lagos to find out.
While there is great concern for indigent students, we should acknowledge that smart phones are not so expensive. You can get a smart phone for as little as N10,000. That may be a luxury to a few students, but they are few and should not be the reason for keeping the majority with smart phones at home, denied education.
Unless they have other businesses for being in school, apart from learning, students need not be worried about going virtual. It is the way forward.