EXPLORING MEASURES FOR REOPENING OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS DURING COVID'19 PANDEMIC IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Consequences of the novel corona virus , popularly called Covid-19 pandemic are alarming and may continue to worsen if multifarious approaches towards containing it negative effects on human lives and global economy are not adopted and applied by relevant stakeholders ; individuals, governments and World Health Organisation, WHO. More so, the crushing effect of Covid-19 pandemic led to the closure of educational institutions across the globe and the continuous closure of schools is going to be very catastrophic to human growth and development. Hence, this study examined measures for the reopening of educational institutions during Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The population of the study is made up of 200 participants drawn from educational institutions and households through census sampling technique.  Data were generated from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through questionnaire administered to 200 participants.Measure of central tendency (mean and standard deviation)and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze primary dataand test the hypotheses. Secondary data represents number of Covid-19 patients for the period of assessment (March-July, 2020). Findings affirmed that schools can be reopened during the pandemic. It was also discovered that strict adherence to safety guidelines of WHO and NCDC would help in managing and containingthe spread of Covid-19 in schools. The study recommended that government should relax the lockdown, build more schools to reduce the over-crowded classrooms and schools and recruit more teachers to supervise rotational lectures for students amongst others.