OPEN LETTER TO HENRY A. ADIMULA Ph.D. ACTING PRINCIPAL/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PETROLEUM TRAINING INSTITUTE PTI EFFURUN, DELTA STATE; THE NECESSITY OF VIRTUAL CLASSES, PRACTICALS, AND EXAMINATION FOR PTI STUDENTS.

OPEN LETTER TO HENRY A. ADIMULA Ph.D. ACTING PRINCIPAL/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF PETROLEUM TRAINING INSTITUTE PTI EFFURUN, DELTA STATE.

SUBJECT: THE NECESSITY OF VIRTUAL CLASSES, PRACTICALS, AND EXAMINATION FOR PTI STUDENTS.

I am writing this open letter to you today as a concerned student of Petroleum Training Institute who is strongly in support of swiftly transitioning to Virtual-learning.

It is an understatement to say that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted Nigeria's society, the economy, healthcare systems, and even educational institutions like the Petroleum Training Institute.

The Petroleum Training Institute is a specialized institution with a mandate to train indigenous manpower to meet the technical and administrative demands of the oil and gas and other allied industries in Nigeria and Africa.

The PTI Mandate clearly distinguished the Institute from every other Tertiary Education in Nigeria.

The massive scale of the COVID-19 virus outbreak and its sheer unpredictability made it challenging for leaders to respond. In an attempt to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, most schools around the world including the Petroleum Training Institute, have had to make hard decisions of shutting down schools temporarily. As I understand, it was an even harder decision for the school board to make at that time considering we were already slightly behind our academic calendar: a gesture I sincerely appreciate because no student should ever have to choose between risking their health for education.

But so much has happened since then, mostly due to the pandemic; we have lost approximately eight (8) months of academic time: turning a two years program into three years and even with the discovery of the new strain of the COVID-19 virus which is far more contagious than the actual virus, things are not looking good. Perhaps things might get better soon or they may not; Amidst so many uncertainties and unknowns, the school board must seek out ways to continue the schooling activities whilst ensuring the safety of students staff – virtual learning takes care of both.

Since the start of the Pandemic, many Educational Institutions have had to adopt a digital approach to Student learning, dramatically transitioning traditional in-person classroom learning to virtual distance learning where teaching is provided remotely on digital platforms.

However, I understand the Petroleum Training Institute could not have made such a transition at that time because we were already in the middle of examinations, and the point that the Petroleum Training Institute offers Technical Education that demands hands-on experience remains valid.

But we have to accept the new normal and I strongly believe without a doubt, the Institute with high Technical Manpower and vast expertise stands in a strong position to carry out such a transition.

Educators and students around the globe are settling in - at home - to finish out the school year amid the pandemic. For many, the digital classroom is a completely new environment. But there’s good news: studies show that learning online is just as effective as learning in the physical classroom, as long as all parties involved, such as; the Institute Management, Academic and Non-academic Staffs, and most importantly the students are well prepared and equipped.

No student should have to sacrifice their health or safety to access Education. As a student of this Institute for which I care so much about. I believe it would be necessary for the institute to take the steps forward in ensuring Students and Educators have the resources and support they need to continue learning in this tough time.

For the past few days, I have discussed with fellow Students what they will like to see going forward from the Institute regarding their Schooling in a time like this; Most of the suggestions revolved around the following features:

• The institute should have an equity plan in place for Virtual learning. This should include making sure all Academic Staff that will be participating in this transition process have the necessary tools required in performing their duties efficiently such as; lecturers having the right technical skills (or support system) and tools.

However, Non-academics staff such as the Student Affairs department and the ICT Department should be actively involved to ensure a smooth-running system.

• For this transition to truly be successful, the Institute should ensure that students are provided the enabling environments for this new reality.

This includes;

-Redesigning the school timetable into one which fits the purpose in a virtual setting.

-Standby technical support hotline for students who may encounter challenges.

- and perhaps, the cost that the institute should have been incurring because of in-person schooling of students can be directed into providing financial aids in terms of Data subscriptions to Virtual learners who may be in need.

• The institute should ensure the right platform and strategies are adopted. There has to be a conscious effort in ensuring the best and most efficient approach.

This includes ensuring that all online classes make use of the same learning platform (such as zoom, google classroom, etc.) and formats to reduce the work for lecturers and make classes easier for students to navigate. And also, to reduce the burden on lecturers, the Institute can consider grouping departments doing the same courses.

I recognize this is an additional challenge during already challenging days. I understand the complexities involved in such a project and I am not naive of the effort this will take but one thing I am most sure of is that this Institute demands bold persistent experimentation. In writing this letter, I am reminded of the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt when he said “It is good practice to take a method and try it. If it fails, accept it frankly and try another but above all try something”.

Better than anyone, Franklin D. Roosevelt understood the necessity of trying something different when he said these words. In-person learning may have succeeded for many years as the only platform for learning at the Petroleum Training Institute, but these are different times with a new set of challenges. If virtual learning works, we will be setting the Petroleum Training Institute on a new and innovative path – a path where our students wouldn’t have to spend an extra year in school because of a pandemic and most importantly, we will be placing the Institute on a journey to actualizing the vision of a “Digital PTI”: a promise that was made to the students over three years ago. Therefore, I respectfully urge you to use your good office in trying something different.

I thank you for your kind consideration and very much hope that you will look favorably upon my suggestions. I would like to further discuss these ideas.

Warms Regards

Written by;

Edesiri Ekokota

HND1 Mechanical Engineering Department Student.

Manufacturing Option.

Petroleum Training Institute, Warri.

Edited and Published By;

Sunday Egon HND2 ISETD

President of 

The Actualizers' Team (TAT) PTI Press Club.