The Nigerian Federal Government has given school owners in the country till 29th July, 2020 to meet specific safety guidelines towards the reopening of schools at a date to be announced in due course.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong.
According to him, the Minister of State for Education, Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba who stated this in his office in Abuja, said the Ministry, having consulted widely, has developed and circulated guidelines for the reopening of schools.
Nwajuiba urged schools to undertake self-assessment and send feedback to State Ministries of Education, not later than 29th July, 2020.
“Thereafter, consultations with relevant stakeholders will be held to review the situation and decide on a specific date for reopening or otherwise.”
Furthermore, the Minister said, “having taken the painful but necessary decision not to reopen schools without necessary preparations to ensure the safety of students and teachers, the Federal Ministry of Education has continued consultations with stakeholders, and a mechanism to assess and monitor compliance shall be put in place.
“Since Tuesday last week, we have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector, including Commissioners of Education in all the states of the federation, the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria,(APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools,(NAPPS), Provosts of Colleges of Education, Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice Chancellors of Universities, some State Governors, and development partners.”
On the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nwajuiba said the government met with WAEC on Monday and have agreed to further consult with four other countries on a new examination date.
“We appreciate the concern shown by all stakeholders and note the divergent views expressed on the matter, the Minister added.
“Parents should be rest assured that the safety of our students and teachers is paramount as we work assiduously towards speedy reopening of our schools for the exit classes to take external examinations’” he added.
EduCeleb.com had earlier reported of the release of the safety guidelines issued by the government last Monday.
This work was coordinated by the education ministry in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control,(NCDC), the Education in Emergencies Working Group.
Among other things, the guidelines focused on staying home and learning safely, before schools and learning facilities reopen, reopening process and conditions for safety when learning facilities are reopened.
In each of these areas actions and responsibilities are identified for various stakeholders such as policy, financing, safe operations, learning, training, reaching the most marginalized, building back better, safety and hygiene, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
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