An educationist, Professor Abiola Awosika-Fapetu, has said the Federal Government must be prepared to deal with the cost of postponing the resumption of schools as a result of the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease.
Professor Awosika-Fapetu, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, also said, the government must also be ready to bear the cost of the aftermath of the virus not only on the part of the schools but also the hospitals and the economy.
According to her, the schools are spending more money to buy medical supplies in making sure that the children are protected from the dreaded disease.
”It is an additional cost as the schools are now forced to spend more money on medical supplies, sick bay, medical equipments to test the children, hand sanitisers to protect the children from the virus”
She insisted that it was a cost that was taking its toll on the schools, the parent and the economy as well.
Professor Awosika-Fapetu expressed fears that the delay in the resumption of schools would affect the teachers, who would have to work over time for the children to catch up so as to meet up with the external examinations, which, most likely, would not be postponed despite the delay in resumption of academic activities.
”The schools will also have to bear with the cost of the teachers and tutors to make sure we meet the deadline set in the curriculum.”
The rector of Olawoyin School Of Innovation Studies, who said that the resumption of schools might be further extended as a result of the new developments of the virus in Port Harcourt, revealed that measures are being taken in schools to help curtail the spread of the disease amongst students, even as they were not in session.
”We just make sure there is a lot of water and lots of soap for the students to constantly wash their hands.
”We must also try to pay attention to anyone who doesn’t look quite right or not feeling well and refer them to the doctor immediately,” Professor Awosika – Fapetu said.
She, however, admitted that much could not be done other than to keep the children at home so as to curtail the spread of the virus.
”We cannot do anything less than what is done right now, which is to keep the children at home, as it is easier to control our households than to bring together children into the same yard because we do not know who has it and who doesn’t have it.’
”Four weeks of them staying home is not too bad as the devastation of the virus hitting a school is unimaginable”.
She advocated for an educational electronic engagement of the students at home via the internet, should the resumption of school be extended further as a result of the virus. She said that the use of the platform would enable the students meet up with their school works.
”If the virus does not stop and school cannot start, then we can electronically engage these kids at home by sending their assignments and lessons via the internet. Let’s begin to think creatively about how we would catch up with the school work, should we have an extension”.
Professor Awosika-Fapetu also stated that the students had been enlightened about the threat of the Ebola virus and the measures of containing the virus.
”The students are young adult and understand the ramification of the virus. They are observant and know the importance of washing of hands. It is necessary to instil these simple hygienic act into the children.”
She concluded by saying that the issue of Ebola should be taken as a national matter and every Nigerian should take the dreaded disease seriously.
