The last has not been heard on the resumption date for schools across the country. Amidst the exponential increase in Covid -19 cases, palpable fear has been expressed across board on the safety of wards if primary, secondary and tertiary schools were to be reopened. Another school of thought have also decried the overly prolonged stay of students at home further arming themselves with the recent statement from the United Nation’s International Children Education fund which stated that schools are not drivers of Covid-19. The Federal Government through the Minister for Education Adamu Adamu released a statement on Thursday last week insisting on and directing that schools resume today, Monday 18th January, 2020 stressing on the adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols. However, in an unforeseen twist, on Saturday, the House of Representatives committee on Education faulted the Federal Government for giving schools the go-ahead to resume on Monday despite the increasing cases of COVID-19. Chairman of the House Committee on Education Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, demanded instead for the postponement of school resumption for three months.
Schools resume, today
– Adamu
Sequel to the hint given during the press 12 January 2021 for the review of the proposed resumption date of 18th January 2021, the Federal Ministry of Education has undertaken a comprehensive appraisal of the situation,” the statement read. “After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including State Governors, Commissioners of Education, Proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students, the consensus of opinion is that the resumption date of 18th January should remain, while parents and respective institutions must ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols. These measures which are to 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.”
No! Postpone resumption
for three months
– House of Reps
School resumption: Are we truly prepared?”
They did not consult us; at least in my committee, nobody from the ministry spoke to me. I have been in Abuja. And I am not sure that they spoke to any of my members. They just don’t see us as part of the critical stakeholders,” “The Committee on Basic Education and Services, House of Representatives, has received with concern the decision of the Federal Government to reopen schools on January 18, 2021. “We are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under, schools were closed; but now that it hovers well above 1,000 infections daily, schools are being reopened. Why are we rushing to reopen schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure our children?”