E-learning: Over 60% of students can’t afford data, smartphones – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said that the necessary infrastructure was not in place for Universities in the country to undertake the e-learning process.

This was according to ASUU’s National President, Biodun Ogunyemi, who was a guest on Sunrise Daily on Monday.

According to him, “We are aware that some universities are putting measures in place, with alternative learning models,” he said. “Some are even trying blended classes, virtual and physical.

“But these efforts are limited. They get to a point they can’t go further.

“ASUU has been talking about revitalisation since 2012. These are some of the areas where the assistance would have helped. Universities need huge funds to do this.

“People are saying start virtual classes, but more than 60 percent of our students will run into trouble – they can’t afford data or smartphones.”

ASUU recently called off a ten-month-old strike over demands related to salary structure and government support for universities.

Recall that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had earlier directed universities to resume academic activities on January 18.

But ASUU is asking the federal government to review the decision, as more COVID-19 cases continue to be reported across the country.

Oguntemi however insisted that Nigerian universities are not ready to re-open in the middle of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.