OAU Students Frown Against Online Lectures

By Ganiyu Ayanniyi M.

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University have said they are not in support of the proposed plan by the institution to switch lectures online, an online poll conducted by OAU Peeps News Agency has revealed.

Last week Thursday, the Federal ministry of education stood firm in its decision on the safe reopening of schools.

Upon the confirmation, various schools, both public and private announced the resumption of academic activities in compliance to safety protocols. Though, few schools are yet to announce theirs.

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is yet to announce the official resumption date and the means in which lectures would be delivered. However, the school is taking serious steps to let these done on time.

There is a proposed academic calendar which will be reviewed by the School Senate on 19th January, 2020. The calendar proposed that only final year, all clinical, pharmacy (part V) and part IV agric students are allowed to resume the school residence on 7th February in order to continue with physical lectures while other students would continue with online classes.

Sequel to this, there have been reactions from students in different social platforms as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter etc. that there should be physical lectures for all because they believe that being at home won't help them to focus in studying online.

But, what is the fear of these students? Mass failure ? Frequent power outage ? Lack of phone or browsing gadget?  The cost for the online classes? These are some of the questions that disturb students.

As a result of various reactions, OAU Peeps News Agency, did an online poll to know students' choice about the online classes. 510 students voted; 20% want the decision as earlier stated in the proposed calendar, 67% do not support the idea of online courses; they prefer physical classes for all students while 13% are fine with both online or physical lectures.

Many tertiary students opined that if some market places could open in full air without the observance of Covid-19 protocols, schools could open while respecting the guidelines as a civilised area. All the same as some students are worried that if some schools could fully open for physical lectures, why not so for Obafemi Awolowo University with total compliance to safety measures ?