Private varsities thrive on smart school hub, Google

–ASUU dismisses online learning as ruse
-Local hub owners say multiple taxation made them ineffective

Following the shutdown of tertiary institutions in compliance with Federal Government’s directive on the COVID-19 pandemic, private institutions have successfully thrived on digital options of teaching and learning. This is in contrast to total stoppage of academic activities in public tertiary institutions.

The feat by private universities comes against the backdrop of complaints by local hub owners that they have not been able to provide significant digital solutions needed to bail out education institutions due to lack of government support. They also, yesterday, blamed their failure on imposition of multiple taxation by tiers of government on the over 150 technology hubs across the country.

Among private universities that have successfully deployed technology are Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State; Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos; Bowen University, Iwo; Elizade University, Ilara Mokin; Chrisland University, Abeokuta; Fountain University, Osogbo; Adeleke University, Osogbo; Redeemers University, Ede; Crawford University, Igbesa; and American University of Nigeria, Yola.

They teach and learn via WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Classroom, Google Suite, Telegram and other Learning Management Systems (LMS).

At Babcock, the second semester was on when the government announced the lockdown. When it became obvious schools might remain shut for a longer time because of increased cases of COVID-19, the school switched to online learning.

According to the institution’s ‎Director of Communications, Mr Joshua Suleiman, lecturers use major platforms like Google Scholar and Zoom to connect with students for lectures and used technology to administer examinations.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN NEWS