Nipate
Forum => Controversial => Topic started by: QueenAgrippa on September 09, 2014, 06:57:11 AM
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Naija kids stay put. Double whammy.
Effects of Ebola on Nigeria's education system
The reopening date for both private and state schools in Nigeria was shifted forward as a measure to control the Ebola outbreak.
Ebola has taken a toll on so many sectors in the country including education. The postponement was necessary in order to allow schools the chance to be well prepared in providing safety and hygienic measure for the students and teachers in Nigeria.
“Safety comes first and I believe the government has done the right thing by closing the schools until the situation is much better,” Tokunboh Durosaro, director of the Oando Foundation told CNBC Africa.
“The Ebola virus started in July and children were already out of school. I believe it gives most schools enough time to prepare to give them all the safety measures they need before the schools resume. It actually gives enough time for the schools to prepare and educate themselves as well as their communities.”
Impact of Ebola on Nigeria's education system
The Nigerian government has told all primary and secondary schools to remain closed until 13 October. Schools were supposed to resume this week but as fears mount over the rapid spread of Ebola, the government hopes to tackle the disease.
In terms of how the level of hygiene education given to students in school, there is a need to upgrade it by teaching students more about personal hygiene apart from the normal knowledge of terminal diseases.
“We [tend to] focus more on HIV/AIDS but with the Ebola virus, which is new, we need to ensure that cleanliness and using hand sanitizers. [Children] need to be re-educated on what they need to do.”
For safety provision measures in government-owned schools it is necessary for the state to provide facilities and items needed for all the education facilities.
“It is a priority for any government in any state so they will have to ensure that they provide the funds to ensure that every school has proper hygiene care. I think most of the states will ensure that is done,” she added.
“We have to think safety before disruption, they can do catch up, we have mid-term breaks and a holiday. We just have to ensure that the teachers [change] the curriculum to ensure that they cover this term.”