The Federal Government has ordered the reopening of all schools in the country.
The directive came about six months after closure of schools nationwide to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu who made the announcement on Friday in Abuja, also directed all Federal Colleges also known as Unity schools, to reopen on October 12.
Adamu, who said the decision was reached after exhaustive discussions with education stakeholders in the public and private sector as well international and development partners, urged all state and private schools to work out their modalities to reopen their schools.
He advised all institutions to obey and adhere to the presidential task force guidelines on reopening of schools.
He said the government took the decision to re-open schools after wide consultation with “stakeholders in the sector, including the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Provost of Colleges of Education. Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice Chancellors of Universities, State Governors, our development partners, Honourable Commissioners of Education and relevant international organizations”.
He explained that “consequent upon these consultations, we developed detailed guidelines for reopening our learning facilities. Taking the first step, we reopened schools for exit classes to take their National Examinations.
“I am glad to report that in all our 104 Unity Colleges, there has not been a single case of Covid-19 infection so far.
“The isolated cases we have had in other schools are minimal.
“It is gratifying to note that on the whole, there has not been a single fatality amongst the existing students”.
He urged schools to abide by the Covid-19 health protocol put in place by the government.
“I strongly urge school owners to put in place systems that meets the following: safe distancing procedures, develop and display at schools simple contexts specific reference protocols on day to day actions to be operated in each school;
“Conduct risk assessment with a view to understanding the gaps in the system that can increase the risk of transmission and make recommendations for addressing the gaps;
“Safety and hygiene in all stages and phases of the school reopening process, sensitisation and monitoring procedures, ensure adequate wash facilities across the school premises, encourage use of open spaces for gathering and promoting outdoor activities, regular temperature checks for all visitors coming into the schools using infrared thermometers, establish a staff/students committee get regular surveillance, monitoring and enforcement of Covid-19 guidelines”.
He warned that any school owner that “does not comply with these guidelines and an outbreak occurs in the school due to negligence, risks closure”.
He advised all institutions to obey and adhere to the presidential task force guidelines on reopening of schools .
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