COVID-19: The Effect of Lockdown on Children’s Remote Learning Experience – Parents’ Perspective
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Aims: This online survey was done to explore parents’ perspectives on education of their children affected by the stay-at-home measures still ongoing in the country.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study design.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample: All six Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria, from May 9 to June 8, 2020 among parents residing in Nigeria.
Methodology: A non-probability sampling technique was used in the recruitment of participants. The study questionnaire on a Google Doc Form was administered through WhatsApp instant messaging. Chi-square was used to test for differences, and statistical significance was set at p-value less than 0.05.
Results: The 260 respondents who participated in the survey, had a median age of 38 years (IQR=9); including 40.4% (105) males, and 64.2% (167) with tertiary education, 77.7% (202) possess a computer device, 93.2% (234) have internet services and 55.0% (143) spend between N5,000 – N9,999 (13.1 – 26.2 USD) per month for internet services. Only 35.4% (92) had their children participate in the ongoing radio/TV learning sessions, 46.1% (120) educate their children with their computer devices at home, however, 40.0% (104) preferred an online based method of homeschooling. Overall, 70.0% (182) were dissatisfied with the level of homeschooling their children received. Respondents with higher education and income level were significantly more likely to possess a computer device, have internet access at home and prefer online classes when compared to low-income earning parents with secondary education and below.
Conclusion: There is a considerable lack of ongoing learning activities among children in Nigerian homes during the COVID-19 lockdown. Strategic context-specific blended learning approaches (including the provision of infrastructure for remote teaching and learning) are needed to mitigate the negative effect of school closures on the education of children.
Article Details
References
UNESCO. Education: From disruption to recovery. UNESCO; 2020. Available:https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse. Accessed 12 August 2020.
Rasheed RA, Kamsin A, Abdullah NA. Challenges in the online component of blended learning: A systematic review. Computers & Education. 2020;144: 103701.
Federal Ministry of Health. Education Coordinated COVID-19 Response Strategy; 2020. Available:https://education.gov.ng/education-coordinated-covid-19-response-strategy/. Accessed 23 August 2020.
Brom C, Lukavský J, Greger D, Hannemann T, Straková J, Švaříček R. Mandatory Home Education During the COVID-19 Lockdown in the Czech Republic: A Rapid Survey of 1st-9th Graders’ Parents. Front Educ. 2020;5. DOI:10.3389/feduc.2020.00103.
Aborode A, Anifowoshe O, Ifeoluwapo Ayodele T, Rebecca Iretiayo A, Oluwafemi David O. Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Sub-Saharan Africa; 2020. ARTS & HUMANITIES DOI:10.20944/preprints202007.0027.v1.
Hussain T Aduragba. Education and COVID-19 in Nigeria: Tackling the Digital Divide. World Literacy Foundation; 2020. Available:https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/education-and-covid-19-in-nigeria/. Accessed 27 May 2020.
Olaseni V, Olaseni AO. COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of Socio-Demographic Factors and Parent’s life orientation on enforced learning in pupils during lock-down in Nigeria. Cape Comorin. 2020;2(4): 34–39.
Obiakor T, Adeniran AP. Covid-19: Impending Situation Threatens to Deepen Nigeria’s Education Crisis. Africa Portal; 2020. Available:https://www.africaportal.org/publications/covid-19-impending-situation-threatens-deepen-nigerias-education-crisis/. Accessed 27 June 2020.
UNESCO. Global Education Coalition. UNESCO; 2020. Available:https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/globalcoalition. Accessed 12 August 2020.
Digital : Nigeria. Digital 2020: Nigeria. DataReportal – Global Digital Insights; 2020. Available:https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020-nigeria. Accessed 14 August 2020.
Kazeem Y. Nigerian schools are rethinking their digital limits and education models in a pandemic. Quartz Africa; 2020. Available:https://qz.com/africa/1882896/nigerian-schools-adopt-online-learning-amid-covid-19/. Accessed 14 August 2020.
Hodder RK, Wolfenden L. Comparison of online and paper survey participation rates in a child health survey by parents of secondary school students. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2017;41(5):547–548.
Robertson C, Ndebele N, Mhango Y. A survey of the Nigerian middle class; 2011. Available:https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/nigerias-middle-class-how-we-live-and-what-we-want-from-life/12563/. Accessed 24 July 2020.
Central Bank of Nigeria | Exchange Rate; 2020. Available:https://www.cbn.gov.ng/rates/exchratebycurrency.asp. Accessed 25 September 2020.
Babatunde A. Coronavirus: How parents can keep up with children’s education —Educationists; 2020. Available:https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/384585-coronavirus-how-parents-can-keep-up-with-childrens-education-educationists.html. Accessed 12 August 2020.
Frenette M, Deng Z. School closures and the online preparedness of children during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2020. Available:https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/301/weekly_acquisitions_list-ef/2020/20-16/publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2020/statcan/11-626-x/11-626-x2020001-eng.pdf. Accessed 6 August 2020.
Kazeem A, Jensen L, Stokes SC. School Attendance in Nigeria: Understanding the Impact and Intersection of Gender, Urban‐Rural Residence, and Socioeconomic Status. Comparative Education Review. 2010;54(2):295– 319.
Adebayo F. COVID-19: UNICEF’s community educators lead charge in continuous learning; 2020. Available:https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/stories/covid-19-unicefs-community-educators-lead-charge-continuous-learning. Accessed 27 May 2020.
The Education Partnership Centre TC. Learning in a Pandemic Report : Nigeria’s response to teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria; 2020.
SEED. Impact of COVID-19 on Education for Vulnerable Children. Sustainable Education & Enterprise Development (SEED); 2020. Available:https://www.seed.com.ng/impact-of-covid-19-on-education-for-vulnerable-children/. Accessed 29 May 2020.
Odia LO, Omofonmwan SI. Educational system in Nigeria problems and prospects. Journal of Social Sciences. 2007;14(1): 81–86.