Assessing the Pandemic Impact on Students around Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child development. Some states in Nigeria made efforts to carry out remote learning for senior secondary schools, leaving behind those in the basic education category, namely Primary 1 to Junior Secondary School Class 3 (Elementary 1 class to 9th grade). The impact of this is examined through surveys administered to students and teachers across all levels. Teachers were specifically interviewed across all levels (primary, secondary, and university) to reveal the impact of the lockdown on the students and the school system. The interviews revealed beyond expectation that the economic impact of the country's macroeconomic situation led to job losses that moved families into poverty and exposed many children to extreme childhood poverty. The hyper-inflation in the country made educating children more difficult for struggling households. The lengthy time spent at home impacted all students including those who learned remotely. Infrastructural gaps, economic conditions, and poor access to basic amenities made it difficult for many children to study remotely. The excitement that accompanied the resumption to school (from the lockdown) was more social than educational. The economic impact on households weighed heavily on students, hence the slow post-lockdown recovery. Two years later, the effect lingers.