One major effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian education system is that it has focused more attention on e-learning. With schools shut, online classes are the means by which students keep abreast of their studies.
However, the classes are not possible without e-learning devices like computers or mobile phones with internet access.
This has led to a surge in the demand for phones by teachers and parents – coupled with increased expenses on data for mobile internet access and fuel to power generators.
Investigations revealed that most parents and teachers whose phones lacked internet facilities and other applications had been forced to upgrade to more sophisticated versions to enable them meet the requirements.
Some parents have had to buy extra phones or laptops for their wards so they are not left behind. The expenditure is more for parents with two or more children.
Lamenting the impact of e-learning on their income, many parents and teachers are praying the pandemic disappears soonest so children can resume school.
One of them, Mrs. Onyebuchi Gloria, said the expenses she had incurred since e-learning started was unquantifiable.
“As a civil servant, I know how much I have spent since this online teaching started. I have three kids, one in secondary school and two in primary. I had to buy extra two phones for them when it became obvious mine was not enough.
