All protocols duly observed. Appreciation to the organizers of this seminar and all members of this great platform for this undeserved opportunity. May God take care of our own children as we are struggling for the betterment of the other children generally.

COVID-19 is never a news again, it’s a global issue that has the same effects on all countries, states and local government. It’s a virus that finds its way into the body and cut short one’s life if not quickly tackled. This virus is said to have more effect on the aged and people with an underlying sickness. How to know if someone is infected with Corona virus: Itchy throat, dry throat, high temperature, shortness of breath and loss of smell.

Effects of COVID-19 on students and schools

COVID-19 has great effect on schools generally. It has effect on both the administrators and students. Students were sent home without completing their second term academic work and graduating students can also not sit for their certificate examinations. Teachers and students time are being wasted by them sitting at home in order to protect themselves from the virus. School administrators have no income which is currently affecting their finances. All the same, there is a saying that says “When there is life, there is hope” I urge you all not to lose hope yet because things will turn out better than our expectations.

The school administrators did not leave the students alone despite all these happenings and to keep the students busy, many of the schools have engaged in: Virtual & Online learning during the lock down, many schools opted for virtual/online learning. Virtual or online learning provides various channels such as mail, online chat and video conferences through which students and instructor interact with each other. This learning technique has helped in keeping the students’ memory fresh to some extent and it keeps reminding them that they are still students. Online learning is the only option during this lock down even though it may not be perfect because there are lot of distractions and obstacles that cannot let some students to partake in the learning but stills served its purpose.

Preparation for resumption.

As lock down is being lifted from Federal Government level down to State level and some classes have been permitted to resume, the school administrators are getting prepared for full work. The following is expected to be done before the resumption.

• School surroundings are to be kept clean and tidy.
• Rearranging of students seats should meet up with social distance recommendations.
• Upgrading of the sick bay to isolation center in the school by providing necessary equipment’s.
• Adequate provisions should be made for: Running water (It may be bucket with tap, wash hand machine or washing hand basin), Liquid soap, Hand sanitizers and Infrared thermometer.
• Maintaining environment and toilet hygiene.
• Retaining/engaging experienced medical practitioners like Nurses and Doctors in order to manage COVID-19 in case any situation arise before referring them to government isolation center.
• Fumigation of the school infrastructures and premises.

The following are the suggested provisions and plans to cover the lost ground as touching the academics of the students:

• Prioritize continuity – Numbers of students/pupils can be reduced into a class of 10-15, maximum depending on the size of the classes. This will prevent the fast spread of the disease amidst the students.
• Focusing on academic and psychological well-being of the students. Developing a clear plan for maintaining academic and social skills, as well as psychological well-being, for children who had difficulties before the pandemic hit. This will help to limit delays that some children may experience.
• Building school-community partnerships. School, social and community services should create partnership to ensure maintaining and continuing a collective response to the children.
• Parent-teacher collaborations. Schools are full of committed, competent and passionate teachers who have to work with parents to help ensure that everyone has a voice and part to play in fulfilling the lost gap.
• School administrators are also collaborating with the ministry of education in order to rearranging school calendar so as to cover the curriculum in order for the students not to miss out.
• Schools administrator should also prevent entry of visitors in any disguise into the school premises and peradventure its necessary or compulsory for such one to enter, he/she must meet up with COVID-19 regulations of wearing face mask, washing if hand with soap & water, application if hand sanitizer and temperature must be measured with infrared thermometer
• School Administrator can engage more hands since the number of students per class is to be reduced. There is need to meet up with the number of class rooms to be used.
• Online classes can still be retained in schools which had started and also be introduced in schools which have not started in order to facilitate learning. The online classes will serve a purpose of revising past lectures made before the lock down while the normal day-to-day lectures in classrooms will be for continuing the normal school syllabus.
• On the part of parents, children should be given adequate food as this improves the brain performance. Hence, the students will be able to comprehend what they are being taught quickly.
• Also, exercise is not also left out. Exercise is a recreation activity which helps to improve the brain performance, body compatibility. So, schools should secure about 10 minutes for early morning exercises though light which helps fast assimilation of information.
• Teachers can introduce new and more definite methods or ways of teaching the students. Emphasizes could be made more on words or ideas the teachers are trying to pass across unto the students.
• Every first 10 minutes of every class could be set aside to review past lectures to bring them to the students’ remembrance.
• Also assignments, class works and exercises can be given to students in order for them to try things themselves and refresh their memories.
• Frequent short tests could be conducted in each class in order to refresh the student’s memories. Although, task, places to read, ought to be have given to students the previous day before the test comes up.
• Teachers should ensure proper monitoring of the students.
• Students should be advised against rough play, touching one another, sneezing and coughing in public places etc.
• Since it has been established that Corona virus spends more time on metals than on plastic and rubber. Handles made with metals could be cushioned with foams.

CONCLUSION
There is never anything that goes up without coming down. This time would soon pass and become history. Thus, school administrators and parents should join hands together in order to cover the lost grounds. I believe, if these provisions and plans can be executed rightly and adequately, our children/wards have nothing to lose. Man plans his ways but God directs his steps.

Facilitated by Rev. Martins Aderemi, the Examination Committee Chairman of (National Association of Proprietor of Private Schools) for both Akure South and Ondo State chapter.