Impact of Covid-19 Outbreak on Teaching and Learning in Public Secondary Schools in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

This research-based paper aimed at assessing the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning in public secondary schools in South-West Nigeria. It described the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents; assessed COVID-19 prevalence in the schools; examined its impact on teaching and learning; examined alternative teaching and learning strategies (ATLS) employed; identified teachers' challenges in using the ATLS; and determined ATLS effectiveness in the schools. Building on the transformative learning theory, a descriptive survey research design and the multi-stage sampling procedure were employed to select a sample of 930 respondents (30 principals, 300 senior school teachers, and 600 students of Grade 11 and Grade 12 classes) for the study. Data were collected using a 5-point-Likert scale questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.86. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and weighted means. The results showed the prevalence of COVID-19 with negative impact on students who did not have access to traditional face-to-face classroom learning, while virtual online classes limited the subjects usually taught. The ATLS employed are TV & Radio, Zoom, Google Classroom, WhatsApp Group, Microsoft Team and Google Chat, and teachers' challenges in using ATLS include: unequal access to ICT-based learning, and lack of Internet facilities and connectivity, and they were not effective. It was concluded that the outbreak of the COVID-19 impacted negatively on teaching and learning in public secondary schools in South-West Nigeria, and appropriate online strategies should be provided to address this challenge.