As national lockdown gradually gets eased, Federal Government has announced that it is set to release measures to be in place for the safe re-opening of schools across Nigeria.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who is also the Chairman of Presidential Task Force (PTF) COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this on Wednesday at the daily briefing of the Task Force.
While congratulating Nigerian children on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day which is today, Mustapha urged stakeholders to begin to take steps that would aid the reopening of schools in the country.
He stated;
I wish to inform Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Education will roll out measures for the self-reopening of schools.
The Presidential Task Force wishes to use the occasion of this celebration to congratulate our children and assure them, their parents and all stakeholders alike that all hands are on deck to reopen schools at a safe time.
The SGF implored states, local governments, proprietors and all other stakeholders to begin to take steps that will facilitate an early and safe reopening.
Addressing circulating claims that schools will reopen on June 8th, the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba described the report as fake news.
He stressed;
Until we are sure that our children can go to school and return safely without taking COVID-19 home, we are not ready to take the risk of opening schools.
Nwajiuba added that the Federal Government will rely on the opinion of experts and the guidance of the World Health Organisation before declaring any school resumption dates.
The minister explained that the government is working on a model to ensure that students do not return to schools at the same time, to ensure physical and social distancing at every school facility.
The plan entails adopting a shift system and allowing those who will write exams to return earlier than others.
He urged state governments and owners of private schools to plan towards ensuring maximum safety for students when the resumption plan is unveiled.
