Education
Five ways technology can ease stress of back-to-school rush
‘Detty December’ is over and students, teachers and parents alike are all trying to get through the mad rush of ‘back to school’ and get back into the swing of things.
Parents, who are just settling back to work after the restful holiday, face multiple tasks such as beating morning traffic to get their children to school on time and making sure daily school supplies are lined up and ready to use.
There is also taking time out of their busy schedules to help their kids with homework among other things.
For parents trying to ease their ‘back to school’ stress, here are five ways that technology can help:
- Set reminders with Google Assistant
Setting reminders is a smart way to remember all the things that are important for school, from lunches to school events.
You can easily create reminders with the help of Google Assistant. Using your mobile device or phone, simply say, “Hey Google, set a reminder”, or “Hey Google, remind me to dry clean my children’s uniform at noon tomorrow.”
Google Assistant will go on to set a reminder and send you a notification when it is close to the time.
- Beat the traffic with Google Maps
You can get real-time information about traffic jams and delays using Google Maps, helping to plan better routes for school runs.
Parents preparing to take their children to school every morning can make use of Google Maps to check for alternative routes and the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) to ensure they get to school before the bell rings.
- Complete homework with Google Search
Not all parents are subject matter experts but they do often have to play the role of designated tutor or help out with homework.
In some cases, parents have forgotten how to solve simple math problems or they may not have the answers to some basic science questions.
A quick search on Google can help find solutions to difficult questions.
Parents should however allow their children to generate the answers to their homework questions before searching Google for the answer.
- Watch video tutorials on YouTube
YouTube is great for watching explanatory videos that are fun, informative, and educational.
For example, parents can watch videos that reveal how to solve a quadratic equation and brush up their knowledge to help their children with their homework.
There are also a variety of educational videos for children that can help parents tutor children who wish to learn more beyond their school work.
- Keep kids safe with Family Link
Children today spend more time online than ever before. As such, it is important to help them develop healthy online habits and make sure they are protected from ills such as online predators and cyberbullies.
Family Link allows parents to set digital rules to help guide their children as they learn and explore online.
The app helps children make good decisions about what they do on their devices and even shows teacher-recommended apps that can be added to their devices.
It can be overwhelming for parents to balance their own professional endeavours with the demands of their children’s rigorous education but technology can sometimes help to lighten the load.
Education
UNIOSUN mandates new students to apply for student loan
The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Clement Adebooye, has mandated the institution’s fresh students to apply for Federal Government student loan anchored by the National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
This is as he disclosed that the university could only admit 11,000 students out of the 30,000 that applied for the 2024 academic session.
Speaking at the 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus in Osogbo on Friday, he assured the newly admitted students of the timely completion of their courses of study.
He disclosed that the FG loan scheme would make learning easy for the new students due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country; hence, new students must apply for the loan.
His words, “I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you”.
He charged the newly admitted students to work tirelessly to achieve academic progression, saying they are among the few lucky ones to gain admission.
“It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university.
“But then, you all have to note for your all-time guidance that it is not everyone that starts any race that usually completes the race. The race in this context is competence building and knowledge acquisition, which come with regular lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character moulding all through your residency here.
“In this esteemed institution, we uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and moral uprightness. Social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and truancy are strongly condemned,” he added.
Education
Outrage as students reject renaming of UniAbuja after Yakubu Gowon
Students of the University of Abuja have vehemently opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename their institution after former military leader Yakubu Gowon.
The announcement, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, December 16, has sparked widespread protests.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed the council’s resolution following its final 2024 meeting at Aso Rock Villa. However, students and alumni immediately reacted with anger.
On Thursday, December 19, students rallied at the university’s main gate, holding placards with messages such as “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja,” and “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja.”
Comrade Nkem Silas, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision.
“Renaming the university can have psychological effects on students. We will formally express our concerns to the Federal Ministry of Education through the Vice Chancellor,” Silas said.
Prof Jeremiah Vambe, an alumnus and lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, also criticised the move.
“Renaming the university involves economic, legal, and psychological costs. The law establishing the University of Abuja must be amended to accommodate this change,” Vambe explained.
Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, President of the Abuja Indigenous Students Association (AISA), proposed an alternative.
“Instead of renaming UniAbuja, the Federal Government should complete the abandoned University of Science & Technology in Abaji and name it after Ladi Kwali University, Abuja,” Abdulbasit suggested.
The protests highlight the growing discontent among students and stakeholders, who see the renaming as threatening the university’s identity and legacy.
Calls for a reversal are gaining momentum as the controversy unfolds.
Education
UNIZIK lecturer killed in Anambra by suspected carjackers
A lecturer of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has been murdered in an attack by yet-be-be-identified gunmen.
On Tuesday, Emmanuel Ojukwu, the UNIZIK spokesperson, confirmed the development to TheCable.
The victim has been identified as Fabian Osita Chinedu.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the state police PRO, said the UNIZK staff member was shot on Monday night at Aroma junction in Akwa.
Ikenga, who noted that the murderers made off with the victim’s car, said an investigation on the matter has already commenced.
“Information reveals that Mr. Fabian, a staff of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka was allegedly shot by unidentified gunmen yesterday 16th December 2024 at 10.10 pm at Aroma Junction,” he said in a statement.
“The murderers also made away with his car, a Toyota Corolla 2006 model, Ash colour with an Enugu Plate number, UWN 158 AS.”
Ikenga urged the public to come forward with any useful information that could aid the investigation.
“The command also urges members of the public who might have seen the vehicle or any abandoned vehicle with a similar description to report to the closest police station or call the command control room number,” he said.
A report quoted a witness as claiming that Fabian was blocked off by another vehicle whose occupants proceeded to gun down the lecturer when he came out of his car to protest.
Fabian Osita Chinedu hailed from Nteje in the Oyi local government area of Anambra.
He was a lecturer at a lecturer in at UNIZIK’s business administration department.
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