By Akinsola Jedidiah (JSS 2 Student)
Although schools have resumed in some parts of Africa and in some other parts of the world, that has not changed the damage Coronavirus has caused to both students and teachers in the education sector.
This week, I will base my sub-topic on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on teachers in the aspect of education, and four major effects on the sector will be discussed here.
Poverty: Poverty is a state or condition in which a person lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living and it also means the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can’t be met.
Corona-virus has really affected Nigerian teachers, especially couples who are both engaged in the teaching profession. With the federal Government lockdown directive, private schools particularly, will have no income with them and they will certainly not be able to meet up with their needs to pay teachers’ salaries. This may lead teachers to start begging to be able to make ends meet, especially if they have children.
Loss of passion for the job: Teachers who are currently not teaching will have to find a way to get another job. So, teachers who gets new jobs will start having passion for these jobs and when schools resume again, the passion they have for teaching will be gone. They may not want to go back to teaching again because of the passion they have developed for the new job.
Relocation of the teacher: Some teachers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic would have to relocate, especially the young ones who are not yet married. Some would have to either go to their friend’s house, or any of their relatives for shelter. In this case if schools resume again, they might not return back to their former place of residence to teach again.
Hatred for the job: Most teachers might develop hatred for teaching job due to experiences they have had, such as begging for food, borrowing money with no idea of how to repay. All these can make them hate the job to the extent that when schools resume again, they will shun teaching for other openings.
Recommendations
The Government should develop means through which teachers can teach students on the internet; for example through the Zoom application. Some private and public schools are using the application to teach students but the cost involved has been so much that most parents cannot afford. The billings for up to #10,000 and #20,000 for online classes has not been convenient for most parents. The Government should be able to provide free online teachings so parents that are poor will be able to afford it. The Government should also pay teachers, even though parents are finding it difficult to pay for the teaching. It is necessary for teachers to be paid for their services.
