Lockdown review: Presidency clarifies on schools reopening | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
28th April 2020
The Presidency on Tuesday made clarifications on school resumption following the gradual relaxation of the lockdown ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari due to tohe outbreak of COVID-19.
Recall that Buhari had ordered a gradual relaxation of the lockdown starting from Monday next week, but was, however, silent on the reopening of schools.
However, Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina while featuring on Television Continental (TVC), said schools may re-open for those about to take exams.
Adesina said candidates about to take West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and other examinations may be allowed to go back to school when the condition allows that.
He said, “If you look at Germany, they gradually reduced their lockdown by opening the schools for those who have exams.
“Same may apply here as those who are to write WAEC and take examinations may be allowed to resume to take their exams.
“The Presidential Task Force will be the ones to decide on when to re-open.”
Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba has maintained that the federal government would not open schools yet in the face of growing cases of COVID-19 cases in order not to jeopardise the safety of pupils and students in the country.
Mr Nwajiuba said this on Tuesday during the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on Control of COVID-19 pandemic.
He said there is no date yet for the resumption of schools in the country.
He also reiterated that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had postponed its exams indefinitely.
“The President actually addressed the issue of the opening of the economy gradually. Until that is done, we can’t foresee or immediately tell you when all the schools will be reopened. It will not be proper for us to simply give you a date. It has to be in tandem with these opening terms.
“We don’t want to put our children at risk. None of these schools can function on their own without the society.
“On the question of children promoting to the next class, those exams will happen when we are satisfied that the children have learnt what is enough for them to move.
“For those who are in the exit classes of junior basic and senior secondary schools, we are preparing them and will continue to. This will go on until we are sure that they are equipped for the external examinations.
“The West African Examinations Council has not cancelled their external exams. It was postponed indefinitely. This indefinite nature is so that we can get a definite date. Students will still have to go and take those exams when we are sure that we have taken good care of the pupils,” he said.