ABSTRACT
This study examined the impact of covid-19 on education in Nigeria. This study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the impact of Covid-19 virus Nigerian Education system, to determine the relationship between COVID 19 virus pandemic and education in Nigeria, to evaluate the awareness of COVID-19 virus among students in Nigeria and to evaluate the after effect of Covid-19 pandemic on education system in Nigeria. The study employed the descriptive and explanatory design; questionnaires in addition to library research were applied in order to collect data. Primary and secondary data sources were used and data was analyzed using the chi square statistical tool at 5% level of significance which was presented in frequency tables and percentage. The respondents under the study were 100 residents of Lagos state, Nigeria. The study findings revealed that Covid-19 pandemic has significant impact on education in Nigeria; based on the findings from the study, schools need resources to rebuild the loss in learning during the pandemic.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Few months ago, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on 30th January 2020 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In 2019, there was anxiety about the impact of a US-China trade war, the US presidential elections and Brexit on the World Economy. On account of these, the IMF had predicted moderated global growth of 3.4 percent. But COVID-19 – the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel strain of coronavirus from the SARS species – changed the outlook unexpectedly. Due to fear and uncertainty, and to rational assessment that firms’ profits are likely to be lower due to the impact of COVID-19, global stock markets erased about US$6 trillion in wealth in one week from 24th to 28th of February. The S&P 500 index lost over $5 trillion in value in the same week in the US while the S&P 500’s largest 10 companies experienced a combined loss of over $1.4 trillion (https://www.reuters.com), although some of these were recovered in the subsequent week. Some of the loss in value was due to rational assessment by investors that firms’ profits would decline due to the impact of the coronavirus.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the near-total closures of schools, universities and colleges. As of 27 April 2020, approximately 1.725 billion learners are currently affected due to school closures in response to the pandemic. According to UNICEF monitoring, 186 countries are currently implementing nationwide closures and 8 are implementing local closures, impacting about 98.5 percent of the world's student population (https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse). On 23 March 2020, Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) released a statement announcing the cancellation of Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level, Cambridge International AS & A Level, Cambridge AICE Diploma, and Cambridge Pre-U examinations for the May/June 2020 series across all countries (https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/news/news -details/view/update-from-cambridge-international-on-may-june-2020-exams-20200323/). International Baccalaureate exams have also been cancelled (https://www.ibo.org/news/news-about-the-ib/may-2020-examinations -will-no-longer-be-held/). School closures impact not only students, teachers, and families, but have far-reaching economic and societal consequences (Lindzon, 2020). School closures in response to COVID-19 have shed light on various social and economic issues, including student debt, digital learning (Jamerson and Mitchell, 2020), food insecurity (Karp and McGowan, 2020), and homelessness, (SESSOMS, 2020; Ngumbi, 2020) as well as access to childcare, health care, housing, internet, and disability services (Feuer, 2020; Barrett, 2020; Jordan, 2020). The impact was more severe for disadvantaged children and their families, causing interrupted learning, compromised nutrition, childcare problems, and consequent economic cost to families who could not work. In response to school closures, UNESCO recommended the use of distance learning programmes and open educational applications and platforms that schools and teachers can use to reach learners remotely and limit the disruption of education (UNESCO, 2020).
The Corona virus is sweeping its way around the world and its impact is only beginning to be visible. Clearly, its arrival is changing everything. The news is full of stories about the need to reduce social contact, which for educational organizations, really does negatively impact long-term viability, not to mention the impact on learning opportunities. Sadly, most educational organizations are now scrambling to identify the options they have in front of them to deal with these two major challenges.
There are school closures of some kind in 22 countries on three continents with hundreds of millions of students around the world facing upheaval, including 13 countries that have shut schools nationwide. The United Nations has warned of the unparalleled scale and speed of the educational disruption being caused by coronavirus. Currently, school closures in over a dozen countries due to the COVID-19 outbreak have disrupted the education of at least 290.5 million students worldwide, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Educators and students around the world are feeling the extraordinary ripple effect of the novel coronavirus as schools shut down amid the public health emergency. Three months ago, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on 30th January 2020 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 27th February 2020 the Federal Ministry of Health announced the confirmation of the first case of Corona virus disease in Lagos State, Nigeria. In the same communication the Honourable Minister of Health announced that the Multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Center for Disease control (NCDC) has immediately activated its National Emergency operations Center. Since then, in less than 2 months, Nigeria has reached more than 50 cases across the country. NCDC keeps and updates figures daily. On March 19th, 2020 a circular from Federal Ministry of Education has granted an approval for the closure of all school for a period of one (1) month commencing from Monday 23rd March 2020 to prevent the spread of the Corona virus (COVID19). Each State in Nigeria has contextualized this circular. The closure of schools affects close to 46 million students throughout the country. Based on the backdrop, the present study tends to examine the impact of covid 19 on education in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study sought to know the impact of COVID 19 on education in Nigeria. Specific objectives of the study include;
- To examine the impact of Covid-19 virus Nigerian Education system.
- To determine the relationship between COVID 19 virus pandemic and education in Nigeria.
- To evaluate the awareness of COVID-19 virus among students in Nigeria.
- To evaluate the after effect of Covid-19 pandemic on education system in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
- Is there a significant impact of Covid-19 virus Nigerian Education system?
- What is the relationship between Covid-9 and education in Nigeria?
- What is the awareness of Covid-19 virus among students in Nigeria?
- What is the after effect of Covid-19 pandemic on education system in Nigeria?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
Hypothesis I
Ho: There is no significant impact of Covid-19 virus Nigerian Education system.
Hi: There is a significant impact of Covid-19 virus Nigerian Education system.
Hypothesis II
Ho: There is no relationship between Covid-19 virus pandemic and education in Nigeria.
Hi: There is a relationship between Covid-19 virus pandemic and education in Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study will contribute to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study is on the impact of Covid-19 on education in Nigeria. The study will also focus on awareness of Covid-19 virus among students in Nigeria and the after effect of Covid-19 pandemic on education system in Nigeria. This study was be conducted in Lagos state.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, some limitations were highlighted. This was done so as to achieve the goal of this study by idealizing the study. These limitations include:
Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
