The Concerned Tertiary Students Ghana, has called for the suspension of virtual learning platforms for academic works.
President Nana Akufo-Addo directed all Public and private tertiary institutions to be closed down indefinitely in a bid to curtail the outbreak of the Novel COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coalition a press statement issued today, April 15, 2020, appreciated the introduction of the e-learning platforms made available by schools so academic activities are not stalled but also said the system is new and with challenges and thereby defeating its purpose.
“As a coalition, we do appreciate the steps taken by the leadership in introducing this system. The introduction of such a system of learning is one of the best things which has happened to us as students, but there is no denying the fact that, this system is new to most students and that it is plagued with myriad challenges. This has brought a lot of unrest among the student folks and there is the need for our authorities to strive in clumping down these challenges if not the desired result would not be achieved.”
It further said not every student has a smartphone at their disposal and thereby finding it difficult to partake in the virtual learning platform.
“The majority of the students are currently not in possession of android phone or smartphone. With this, they are finding it difficult to partake in this peaceful exercise. This would definitely affect them academically and also psychologically. In our setting where the premium is placed on students’ writing and passing exams, it is clear that this decision only is it not going to cause a lot of bad grades being recorded, it is also going to breed a class of individuals who would have no skills acquired after going through tertiary.”
The statement also said “Also, some of the students too are from typical remote areas in the country. These areas have their own challenges including poor access to our various Telecommunication Networks, lack of electricity, to mention but a few. These and a host of several others have been the major challenges that some students are currently facing. In some places, students would have to walk some miles before accessing a better network to use for this learning. Certain courses that involve a high level of calculation would be difficult to grasp and for that matter studying them online would be herculean.”
The Concerned students among other reasons have called for the suspension of virtual learning not to create a problem in our quest to solve one.
“In order not to create a problem in our quest to solve one, leadership should consider this section of the student populace and suspend the ongoing virtual learning, since it wouldn’t serve to a larger point, it’s intended purpose. Why has WASSCE been suspended indefinitely but authorities want Tertiary students to continue academic work online in this horrifying moment?”
Find the full press release below