One major effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian education system is that it has focused more attention on e-learning. With schools shut, online classes are the means by which students keep abreast of their studies.
However, the classes are not possible without e-learning devices like computers or mobile phones with internet access.
This has led to a surge in the demand for phones by teachers and parents – coupled with increased expenses on data for mobile internet access and fuel to power generators.
Some parents have had to buy extra phones or laptops for their wards so they are not left behind. The expenditure is more for parents with two or more children.
Lamenting the impact of e-learning on their income, many parents and teachers are praying the pandemic disappears soonest so children can resume school.
One of them, Mrs. Onyebuchi Gloria, said the expenses she had incurred since e-learning started was unquantifiable.
“As a civil servant, I know how much I have spent since this online teaching started. I have three kids, one in secondary school and two in primary. I had to buy extra two phones for them when it became obvious mine was not enough.
“You don’t even talk about the data they burn every month. It has been quite hectic. Honestly, God should just have mercy and take this disease away from us so these children can resume their normal studies.”
A class room teacher, who identified himself as Emma Okafor, said he was compelled to change the phone he was using to an android type because of online teaching.
He said: “As a teacher, buying an android phone that has the capacity to download the App is a big challenge now, especially when placed side by side with the peanut they are paying us as salary.
“Even the peanut as salary is not paid on time, before it comes one has finished spending it. Another challenge is accessing the internet for the exercise.”
Another teacher, Juliet Okoye, regretted that students the package was primarily designed for were yet to fully buy into it.
“My discussion with some students shows that many of them are not ready for this online learning. According to them, they don’t have good phones and their parents cannot afford leaving their phones for them at home,” she said.
Howver, as parents and teachers grumble about cost, phone dealers are smiling to the bank with unprecedented increase in sales.
One of them, Mr. Obinna Simon, a shop owner in Eke Awka Market, Anambra State, said the increase in phones sales in recent times had been unprecedented.
He described the COVID-19 pandemic as a “blessing in disguise” for those of them in the business.
“The rate at which people, particularly parents, throng our shops since this online teaching stuff started has been massive.
“A parent came the other day and bought two phones for his children. Even though he lamented his lack of money as he was making the purchase, he said he had no option.” (The Nation)
