Corona Lock Down: Tapping from the Academic Utility of Studying at Home

The corona virus has introduced a new dimension in all time global crisis. One may say without empirical evidence and may be adjudged impeccably accurate that the corona virus also nicknamed Covid19 is the most talked about and heavily dreaded pandemic. It is ahead of the likes of HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Monkey-pox, SARS, Lassa Fever, Bird Flu among others. It has defied scientific efforts and for now, rubbished the so-called advanced technologies globally.

The Coronavirus has brought the whole world to terms with David Diop’s real meaning of ‘casualties.’ In his poem as I paraphrase:
The casualties are not only those who are dead. They are well out of it. The casualties are not only those who are wounded even though they are in pain and await burial by instalment.
The casualties are not those who started a fire and are unable to quench it. The casualties are many. We are all casualties.

Now the paraphrased lines of Diop above are close to prophetic utterances as we all have become casualties already. Remember, whether you are dead, about to die or will survive the Corona war, you are, in the estimation of the poet, which I fully subscribe to with zero hesitation, a CASUALTY.

Why are we all casualties? Nations have shut down. No school, no market, no office work, no marriage ceremonies, no Church gatherings, no Muslim prayer sessions, no Burial Ceremonies; not even for the funeral piles eating up all the spaces at the mortuaries, and no relaxation at any known joint in any city. It is a different world entirely. We are indeed casualties. I hear that in some countries, lions have been released to enforce the order of sitting at home given by government. Now, no bigwig can go abroad for treatment. All of us now patronize Gwagwalada Hospital for the first time in Nigerian history.

Kogi State is not an exception. As a matter of fact, the State had become prominent in the news following the death of Hajia Hauwau Bello, mother to the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, before the seriousness of the prevalence of the corona pandemic in Nigeria.

Upon that, the Governor announced closure of schools and stoppage of all gatherings of more than 30 people. It was reviewed to limit the number of any gathering to 5 persons among other regulations. It was in line with this order that schools at all levels were shut down. We are all casualties. While some primary and secondary schools were midway into their Second Term examinations, others were just about to start when the order came. And it was in the best interest of the State.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has also cancelled the final exams billed to commence from early April. What this means is that students and pupils are on a forceful sit back.

Surely, the Coronavirus and its attendant problem will pass by. Hopefully, schools will reopen and offices will become alive again.

My advice to students while sitting at home now is to derive maximum utility from the time of no activity by converting the home into a school -like environment. Create a reading space for yourself and commence reading of your books. Read, read, read and read all there is like never before. If you have read before, revise so as to recall where you may find difficult. Ask questions, get tutorial where possible to get better understanding of your subjects.

It becomes very interesting when the family has two or more children at different levels of education. Where there is a reading room, then the children can use, otherwise the dining table becomes a temporary ‘venue ‘ for reading.

As you revise those subjects ahead of resumption, be creative in a way by setting possible questions for yourself and answering them. Give yourself assignments and then answer the questions set. Consider the option of involving your parents if they are educated.

A child who does regular reading at home while the pandemic lasts will return to school well prepared for the exams and is sure to come out in flying colours.

On the other hand, a child who spends quality time watching Zee World movies and Africa Magic of all tribes will end up with poor results. It is worse for those whose primary zeal is to operate phones exploiting all the internet applications. A word is enough for the wise.

While I acknowledge the inconveniences associated with reading for an examination and having it postponed, I feel the waiting time can become very useful if utilised as explained above. In that case, we would have become beneficiaries amidst casualties.

Dr Gabriel Ottah who writes from Lokoja is the Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Education Science and Technology