President Muhammadu Buhari had, on March 29, ordered a 14 days lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states which was later extended by another 14 days on April 13.
“We were asked to go home because of the Coronavirus. Because of the pandemic. We were in the middle of exams and we went to school that day and they said that we should just go home. They even postponed our exams.Rejoice said she finds time to read her books and prepare for the exams should the lockdown be lifted.During holidays, Rejoice and her siblings are made to learn vocational skills but the pandemic has rendered it impossible this time.
Eze Michael, who attends the same school as Susan, explained that he followed his father to his electrical workshop. He stopped going a week after the lockdown was announced and now sells food items in his mother’s shop.“Now, I only do housework and help my mother in the shop. She sells food items. I try to read my books on my own too as we do not attend private lessons.
Boniface Okwanya, proprietor of The Maker Academy, New Karu, explained how he was made to shut down his school in the middle of exams. Asked how it has affected the business, he said “it’s not funny at all because some of them are still owing fees which they promised to pay at the end of the month but once we were asked to leave, till date, they are still owing.“I’m not praying for the lockdown to be extended because it is not funny. Surviving now is just by God’s grace. One major prayer is for God to stop the spread ofParents lament expenses, need for online classesalso complained about spending more with the children at home.