THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON LITERACY TEACHING AND LEARNING ON STUDENTS. ~ HON ROWLAND SEKIBO.
Each year September 8th marks United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Literacy Day, raising awareness globally on the issues surrounding adult and child literacy by promoting literacy as a tool that could empower individuals as well as whole communities and remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights towards building a more literate and sustainable society.
Primarily, the issue of literacy is a key component of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) which is to mobilise efforts to eradicate poverty and inequalities across the world of which improving literacy rates is an integral element in partnership with governments, charities, local communities and experts in the field worldwide.
Annually, It has been a tradition to promoting literacy in Akulga on this auspicious epoch making occasion (September 8) since the inception of Hon. Rowland Sekibo JP administration as Caretaker Chairman and Executive Chairman of the LGA, respectively. To this end, we shall be considering the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on literacy teaching and learning in the Corona virus crisis on Students using Akuku-Toru LGA as a case study.
In the pre-Covid-19 era, the administration of Hon. Rowland Sekibo meaningfully engaged Principals, proprietor/proprietress, Students and Teachers across the Local Government to play crucial role in reimagining successful teaching and learning strategies to eradicate illiteracy in our society through his free Holiday Classes, distribution of bags and equipping of the Hon. Mrs. Anthonia Ineba Membere's Memorial Library with books and awards of Scholarships as means of promoting literacy in the society.
Today, due to school closures as a result of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, students and teachers won't have the privilege of interacting with the Executive Chairman and further learn from renowned scholars who as usual would give a guide in choosing a lifelong career and amongst others is the educative drama, debate and quiz competition amongst students, acquisition of classroom knowledge, presentation of cash prizes and award of scholarship to deserving Students' and the distribution of writing materials to all participants, etc.
Sadly, many teachers who were on unstable contracts or working in the non-formal sector are at risk of losing their only income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This would have been an avenue of putting smiles on the faces of teachers where hundred (100) Non-teaching and teaching staff are engaged under the aegis of Hon. Rowland Sekibo Free Holiday Classes which closing ceremony marks the celebration of the International Literacy Day, annually.
However, we are in an era of technology where digital teaching and learning is practiceable. Many parents are concerned about the disruption of their child’s education, and distance learning assisted by technology has been adopted as a temporary solution to this problem. However, remote learning has also highlighted the impact of the digital divide on the less fortunate.
Finally, it is undeniable that future literacy programs can also benefit from digital technology. We need to embrace, support and even scale up initiatives that pursue the improvement of literacy skills for children and youth through technology.
Signed:
Comrade Edward Asikitams, S.A On Education to the Executive Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA.
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