1.7 billion students affected by coronavirus worldwide - Professor George Oduro

Professor George K. T. Oduro, a professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Cape Coast has revealed that, approximately 1.7 billion students worldwide have been affected by the closure of schools necessitated by coronavirus pandemic.

In Ghana, he believes approximately 9.7 million students are affected.

Prof. Oduro was speaking on the topic “Effects of Covid-19 on Education” on GBC Radio Central’s Central Morning Show hosted by Ben Nartey and monitored by MyNewsGh.com

He explained that, the Covid-19 pandemic is no respecter of persons and has affected all manner of persons from all walks of life.

“Coronavirus doesn’t discriminate against black or white persons, old or young, Christian or Muslim and neither poor nor rich”. He added those who have the notion that coronavirus is a disease for the rich must desist from that and observe all the necessary protocols as prescribed by the Ghana Health Service. “It is very pathetic to see and hear that some persons from the coastal areas in Cape Coast are saying that Covid-19 is a disease for the rich”. He observed.

In explaining the effects of Covid-19 on education, the Educational Leadership Professor said, coronavirus has affected the academic calendar of the entire educational system of the world including Ghana.

“Children normally learn in schools and take being home as vacation. So the abrupt truncation of teaching and learning would affects the students while at home”, he bemoaned.

He added that Television and movies easily take away students mind off learning. Peer group and friends take away children’s attention from studying as well. “I’ve seen a lot of children walking in groups around the Apewosika and Amamuma areas of Cape Coast. Instead of learning, they are just walking about in the neighbourhood”. He said

Reacting to how coronavirus and the closure of schools has affected parents, he said “parents would begin to respect teachers after this lockdown. A lot of parents see children as being troublesome”

Prof. Oduro said notwithstanding the numerous setbacks brought about Covid-19, UNESCO has supported countries to initiate an online teaching and learning portal that can be assessed by children around the world but was quick to add that, the practical challenge with this is the availability of internet and accessibility to all students especially in our part of the world.

“Data acquisition and the cost implications to access the online educational material is also hindering students’ ability to study while at home”.

He praised former Minister of education Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang for the introduction of the ibox initiative. The iBox as an ICT component which is a dual online or offline educational e-resource platform designed to support secondary education in Ghana. The primary appeal of the iBox is that it is a proven technology. It brings classroom teaching to students digitally and interactively.

“Coronavirus has affected education gravely but with the measures put in place by government are good even though not perfect would help us going forward” Prof. Oduro said.