Open letter in respect of schools shutdown
Dear Mr President, as two out of only three Google Certified Educators in Nigeria, we feel duty-bound to write this open letter to you amidst the ravaging uncertainties of Coronavirus pandemic. It is worth noting that we are in total agreement with the proactive measures of shutting down schools across the federation. Nonetheless, what we […]
Dear Mr President, as two out of only three Google Certified Educators in Nigeria, we feel duty-bound to write this open letter to you amidst the ravaging uncertainties of Coronavirus pandemic.
It is worth noting that we are in total agreement with the proactive measures of shutting down schools across the federation. Nonetheless, what we found missing is an alternative policy for remote and distance learning study arrangement for the Nigerian students.
Against this background, we find it imperative to advise the government to that effect, as it is not yet too late to set a team that will oversee the immediate planning on how to engage thousands of the students’ populace in a productive academic pursuit while staying at home. We believe that this can be done through the following approach: A roundtable discussion with relevant agencies, as done throughout the world, such as telecommunication providers through the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on how to provide massive data discounts (and free) to educators and students to allow them to access the Internet. We have seen that Comcast, AT&T and Verizon in the US and other countries have agreed to offer such help to low-income families as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) during this trying time.
Collaborating with the Ministries of Education, Information, NUC, NBTE, NCCE, and SUBEBS on the endless possibilities of engaging students remotely. This could be achieved by taking advantage of various available online platforms, resources and tools that are free or made to be open as a result of this pandemic. For example, Google’s G Suite for Education platform is free for all public schools that have a functional website with education domain. The provides endless opportunities for teachers to connect with students using Google Hangout Meet, Google Hangout Chat, Google Classroom, and YouTube Live streaming, among others.
Mobilise labour unions such as ASUU, ASUP, ASUCOE to provide volunteers that will be willing to attend our online train the trainers’ course on ‘Teach from Anywhere’ master class. This will help in boosting their capacities to understand how they will use G Suite tools in reaching out and engaging their students at all level. Besides, the masterclass will prepare them to learn how to utilise tons of resources that are made available online as a result of school shut down across the globe.
We are not unaware of the various challenges associated with this proposal more, especially with regards to accessibility challenges. For example, some will argue that not every student/pupil may have a tablet, a computer, a smartphone, phablet or even access to electricity. Others may say that the proposal does not take into consideration people with disabilities and cognitive challenges. Our response would be, such concerns are legitimate. These shortcomings also exposed a hidden weakness in our education delivery system which technology is here to support governments, the world over to address. Nevertheless, we feel this proposal is worth trying.
Lastly, as part of our contribution to this cause, we designed, developed and curated contents in a web portal and named it OpenSchool – Nigeria.
We aim to use it as a one-stop-shop for educators willing to learn more about available tools, tips and tricks for upgrading to remote learning. We also intend to mobilise and train people that are willing to become Google Certified Educators and Trainers in Nigeria. It shall also be noted that although the OpenSchool project is conceived and initiated to support teachers and families with educative “Home-Stay” as the situation deteriorates, the platform is designed to last beyond COVID19 pandemic period. The team will work with concerned authorities to make it a one-stop-shop for teachers with regards to cutting-edge technology tools and state-of-the-art teaching and learning delivery methods.
Nura T. A. (Nura Grafix), Doctoral Researcher, Brunel University London & Najeeb G. Abdulhamid PhD, Jigawa State Polytechnic Dutse. [email protected]; [email protected]