Benue State University, Makurdi

ASSESSMENT OF PARENTS’ PERCEPTION ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC SCHOOL CLOSURE ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA

J. C. Opara
Department of Educational Management, University of Abuja, Abuja

P. A. Olofu
Department of Educational Management, University of Abuja, Abuja

E. O. Ihekoronye
Department of Educational Management, University of Abuja, Abuja

Abstract

The Federal Government of Nigeria’s overall strategy to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria on 27 th February, 2020 has really caused serious harm to the educational system and other sectors of the economy. This paper therefore was anchored on assessment of parents’ perception of the impact of covid-19 pandemic school closure on secondary school students in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The sample of the study comprised 450 parents who have children in secondary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council. The sample was selected from ten (10) communities within the study area through simple random sampling technique. That is, 45 parents from each of the communities. The study used questionnaire as its instrument for data gathering from the respondents. The instrument (questionnaire) was designed in a 4-point Likert scale of Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Disagreed and Strongly Disagreed as well as yes or no. A total of 450 questionnaires were administered to the respondents and 448 were validly filled, returned and used for data analysis. Mean and simple percentage were used for data analysis. Finding revealed that parents’ perceived COVID-19 pandemic on school closure to have negative impact on secondary school students. It was also indicated that some children during the COVID-19 pandemic school closure were not being adequately engaged in learning activities. It also showed that some children were engaged in hawking instead of learning. In line with the findings of the study, it was recommended that: i. Since school closure has negative impact on students, the government should leverage the cost of internet services so that children of low income parents can have access to the services in case of future sudden school closure. ii. Parents should ensure that their children/wards are constantly and continuously engaged in learning activities should there be sudden school closure in the nearest future.

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