TSU resumes academic work amidst COVID-19 second wave
By Christiana Babayo
Following the lockdown in the country occasioned by the Covid19 pandemic early 2020, schools around the country and beyond were shut down so as to develop a means of containing the virus.
In the late months of 2020, the lockdown was eased and schools were reopened except universities which were still closed owing to their feud with the government over some challenges they wanted the government to be addressed.
Recently, the strike was resolved and the resumption of universities was announced for the 18th of January, 2021 amidst the second wave of the Covid19 threats.
Our correspondent who visited Taraba State University (TSU) to observe the resumption process and to assess the situation in the school reported that the school had resumed and lectures are ongoing with strict compliance to Covid-19 guidelines.
The students and lecturers were seen in the classes with their face masks and from the school gate, security men were also seen inspecting everyone entering the school premises to ensure that they put on their face masks before getting into the school.
In an interaction with some of the students, one Mr. Mark Lucky of Theatre Art and Film Studies said, we have over stayed at home. Our resumption was long overdue and I cannot even believe that life has given me another chance to finish up this degree.
Mr. Mark who was extremely happy about the resumption prayed that God should keep them safe so that they would complete the session without any further obstruction.
For Zadok Joy, a final year student, it had been a very tough but lucrative holiday for her.
She noted that though no one saw the holiday lasting for so long, she had made out time from it to study ahead and also learnt a few things to avoid idleness during the period.
She said the only thing that worried her most was the fact that more than half of her rent just went in vain as she did not get stay in the house during the lockdown.
The rent issue as pointed out by Joy remained a major problem to most of the students as the school resumed. However, some sources revealed that the Students Union Government, SUG had promised to liaise with the landlords/caretakers on behalf of the students so that they could see how best they would assist the students especially those whose rents expired over the holiday and are to renew as the school resumes.
Mr. Gaius Jeff, a non academic staff in the university also expressed relief over the resumption.
He said he was glad that the school is on again. According to him, the response from the students is very encouraging.
“The school just resumed and the students are already on ground attending lectures. It is quite impressive. I just want to advise that they maintain the Covid -19 guidelines even in their hostels and homes so that the school will remain safe.” He said.
Although there are fears that the students may find it difficult to catch up after a long time of staying at home, academic activities have already started fully and hopefully, they will catch up in no distance time.
New mission recalls that exam was by the corner when the lockdown began and as it is now, the school circular shows that the students have just little time for revision before they fall back to the examinations.
