Perception of technology education lecturers on school-based social distancing practices for curbing the transmission of corona virus disease in Niger state, Nigeria

The study identified the perception of technology education lecturers on school-based social distancing practices for curbing the transmission of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in Niger State, Nigeria. Two research questions were raised to guide the study and two hypotheses were formulated and tested at .5 level of significant. The research design used for this study was descriptive survey research design. The study was carried out in Niger State, Nigeria. The population of the study consisted of 52 technology education lecturers, 25 from Federal University of Technology, Minna and 27 from Niger State College of Education, Minna. Total population sampling technique was used to select the whole population of the study. The study utilized a structured questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Cronbach Alpha method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and found to be .88 and .91 respectively. The study employed the use of mean to answer the research questions and z-test to test the null hypotheses. Findings revealed cancelling assembly, closing of playground, shortening school days per week: 3 days instead of 5, cancelling fieldtrips, cancelling afterschool activities, reducing school activity calendar, altering school schedules to prevent mixing and limiting access to visitors from outside the school environment were school-based social distancing practices for curbing the transmission of COVID-19 from technology education lecturers’ perception. The study recommended that, Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education should incorporate into the guidelines for school reopening the identified school-based social distancing practices for curbing the transmission of COVID-19.