ABSTRACT
This study was to investigated the effects of Covid-19 on the University of Benin, four research questions were posed. Covid 19 pandemic is disrupting the world order, particularly the school system where physical contact is the order of the day. Unfortunately, schools in Nigeria, especially the university of Benin, have responded to this global challenge by complying with the established Covid 19 protocols to fight the pandemic. University of Benin level of the preparedness to teach students during the Covid-19 was low. There is no variation in the level of preparedness by faculties in University of Benin to teach during the Covid-19 pandemic1.
COVID-19 caught the whole world unaware that some countries have to adjust their National Budget in other to make provision for the pandemic. On July 13, 2020, the presidential task force on COVID-19 gave guidelines for the resumption of schools, the guidelines include fumigation and disinfection of schools, and social distancing of 2 metre and a situation where the 2 metre rule cannot be applied, alternative learning models for safe distancing should be used. On 2nd march, 2021, Nigeria received nearly four (4) million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (WHO, 2021) which is a step towards fighting the spread of the virus. Lots of sentiments have been attached to the vaccine and this has been scaring lot of people from taking the vaccine2.
The effect of COVID-19 on education cannot be discussed in its entirety. The virus gave education sector a shake and gave more reasons on why the education sector in Nigeria should embrace the use of technology in delivering classes. Although some of the Tertiary Institution find it difficult to move from the traditional face to face class to the online class due to lack of proper funding, inadequate facilities, lack of untrained personnel among other factors. Even when the tertiary institution have the facilities in place for online classes, students still complain of not been able to access it due to epileptic power supply, cost of mobile data, increase in cost of electronic gadget among other factors.
The findings had shown that reduced contact with lecturers had affected students learning. This was followed by prolonged absence from school. Lack of access to online materials and their inability to participate in online lectures during the pandemic, had reduced students performance in their academics2. David et al who stated that proper and efficient management and use of technology can help universities prevail over Covid-19 and that failure to utilize it, would affect students performance in their academics. Lastly, 50% of the respondents had agreed that reduced participation with colleagues had negatively affected group learning activities and in turn affected students performance in their academics.
Feeling fear and shock were the two recurring emotions that had experienced following the uncertainty that had come with the pandemic. All disruptions in academic processes due to Covid-19 pandemic have increased student shock and fear. A 76% of respondents had agreed that during the pandemic they had felt uncertain about the conclusion of their academic calendar or semester3. As stated earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of students in different ways, depending not only on their level and course of study but also on the point they have reached in their programmes. Those coming to the end of one phase of their education and moving on to another, such as those transitioning from school to tertiary education, or from tertiary education to employment, had faced particular challenges4. They will not be able to complete their school curriculum and assessment in the normal way and, in many cases, they have been torn away from their social group almost overnight. Even those part-way through their programmes will be anxious until they have clear indications of how their courses and assessment schemes will be restored after the crisis.
The students engaged themselves in entrepreneurial activities while a 94% had used social media either as a way to connect with their loved ones or to obtain relevant information during the pandemic. Most students had used their time away from school to learn and acquire new skills as a medium to cope during the pandemic. It was believed that compliance with the social distancing instruction enforced by the university was not always possible in hostels and lecture halls. This goes with reason that in a university with over 47,468 students, (University of Benin Students Affairs Division 2020/2021) social distancing cannot always be possible particularly in lecture halls and hostels. Students use of nose masks as instructed by the University was an effective measure that helped reduce the spread of the virus. Public mask wearing was most effective at reducing spread of the virus when compliance is high5
The findings of the study revealed that the level of preparedness of University of Benin to teach students in the era of Covid-19 pandemic was low with no variation among faculties. Questions on how to continue their classes, the learning modality, the appropriate assessment, and access to learning materials were foremost in the mind of both teachers and students6. These findings support the fact that there were no additional physical facilities for teaching and learning, hostel accommodation and library for students, which is required for the implementation of the Covid-19 protocols during the pandemic era. However, detailed analysis revealed that the level of preparedness of the University of Benin to teach students in the era of Covid-19 pandemic were high in the area of enforcement of the wearing of face/nose marks in the classrooms by students and lectures and also public enlightenment campaigns within university of Benin community. This was achievable with the setting up of Covid-19 committee both at the management and faculty levels. Special branded vans with public address systems were also seen leading Covid-19 protocols campaign within the university community7. The university also setup taskforces to ensure compliance to use of face/nose marks and hand washing protocols.
