The Federal Government has finally decided to move forward with the resumption date of January 18, 2021 for schools across the country.
This is despite pressure from the University Academic Staff Union (ASUU) and other stakeholders shouting for schools to remain closed amid the second wave of the pandemic.
On Monday, Education Minister Adamu Adamu during the press conference of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday said that the resumption date of January 18 was not sacrosanct.
However, in a statement signed by Press and Public Relations Director Bem Goong, Adamu explained that the decision to keep the resume date was the result of “extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, education commissioners, owners and heads of institutions, staff and student unions ”, respectively.
The Minister, however, urged parents and the respective institutions to ensure full compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
The statement read in full: “Aftermath of the hint given during the press conference on January 12, 2021 for the revision of the proposed resumption date of January 18, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Education has carried out a comprehensive evaluation of the situation.
“After extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, education commissioners, owners and heads of institutions, staff and student unions, the widely held view is that the January 18 resumption date should remain, while parents and the respective institutions must guarantee compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, which include: – (i) Mandatory use of masks by all students, teachers and workers in all schools (ii) Temperature checks and facilities to wash the hands in strategic locations in all schools (iii) Ensure a constant supply of water and sanitizers (iv) Compliance with the maintenance of social distancing and suspension of large concentrations such as meeting and visiting days. (v) Avoid overcrowding, including limitations on class size and shelter occupancy (vi) Availability of functional health clinics with facilities for isolating and transporting suspected cases to medical facilities (vii) Compliance with all other protocols, restrictions and non-pharmaceutical containment measures as prescribed / approved by the PTF from time to time.
“These measures, which ensure the safe reopening of schools for academic activities, will be subject to constant review as we urge teachers, school administrators and other stakeholders to ensure strict compliance.”