The Nigerian government has said that school owners across the country should meet the specific guidelines set towards the reopening of schools by July 29.
The government had earlier issued a guideline for the safe reopening of schools following closure occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Ministry of Education had stated that the safe distancing measures in the new guidelines required that in schools and other learning facilities, learners should be supported to stay two meters apart.
The document explained that in cases where the two-meter rule cannot be reasonably applied, other risk mitigation strategies might be adopted. Examples include early years, younger primary school children, and those with additional needs.
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In these circumstances, it said risk assessments must be undertaken with the best interests of the learners, teachers, and other education personnel in mind.
“The scenarios require organising learners and children into small groups with consistent membership and compliance with the risk mitigation strategies. The membership of these groups should not change unless the NCDC public health guideline suggests otherwise,” it had said.
However, the Federal Government is yet to announce the date for school reopening. Speaking in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba said the date would be announced in due course.
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The minister also said that Nigeria and the West African Examination Council office in had agreed to discuss with other member countries of the council on the possibility of fixing a new date for the suspended West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).
Nwajuiba said school owners should comply with the guidelines, adding that schools would undertake self-assessment and send feedback to state ministries of education, not later than July 29, 2020.
He explained that consultations with relevant ‘stakeholders’ would be held before a decision is taken on the specific date for reopening or otherwise.
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“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,” he said.
”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,” he said.
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