By Vasty Agila.
Covid 19 had really brought alot of delay of almost everything in the world especially in the educational sector. Coming into 2020, I entered with the expectation of graduating and forging ahead, but from February the year came with the global pandemic, I was praying and hoping that schools will resume that year, date was fixed for resumption but was always extended. I have shift that expectation to 2021, but the year too opened with the extension of school resumption from 4th to 18th of January .
Students were deeply happy that finally school will resume on 18th, then came the issue of three months extension. That statement put this question in my mind as to, what is the fate of students in 2021?
Am not disputing the fact that Covid- 19 or the second wave is real but what bothers me is, why is it that Covid-19 is only found in schools? people go to the market and places of worship without been contacted,is Covid-19 anti, school?.If schools in China,Isreal and other countries in the world can resume back to school,why then is Nigeria still thinking of re-closing schools ? .Students have over stayed at home,they want to graduate and proceed with their lives proceeding without completing school will be like going forward and coming backwards again.
Students who have written their West African examination council (WEAC) and indeed National examination council (NECO)bcan not go into any University, polytechnic or college without those who are in the final year out of the school. Our Primary school pupils too can not move forward if schools are locked.
Children are the leaders of tomorrow while youths are the backbone of any serious society, therefore, for any country to succeed, the two must be treated with utmost importance.
It is my hope and prayer that students will be given the golden chance to continue their studies to guarantee their future while they observe the Covid-19 protocols.
To this end ,all critical stakeholders in education sector should rethink and measure the urgly situation to restore the lost glory of education as the fundamental instrument which differentiate human beings from other mammals.
Fervent prayers from our valuable religious Cleric is highly needed in that regard as our parents and guardians should contribute immensely in the crusade. Students too expected to refocus on their academic journey with a view yielding a positive results for the betterment of the society .
Vasty Agila writes from Mass communication department, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi.
