COVID-19: FG Gives Update On Reopening Of Schools

The Federal Government has clarified the reported move to reopen schools amid the continuous spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, during his appearance on Wednesday said that the Federal Government was making plans for students in graduating classes to write their respective final exams contrary to reports that it’s reopening schools.

Nwajiuba pointed out that despite the closing of schools because of the coronavirus pandemic, exams are critical for the academic progress of students.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today he said, “We presented to the PTF and by extension, the Federal Government, the plans by examination bodies to hold their exams. The exams are critical for how children progress,”

“We examined it and we felt that it is important to allow those examinations to take place but ahead of them taking place, it is important that those children, who have not had the opportunity to revise their syllabus, should have an opportunity to go through that and have a revision class before the exams.”

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“But we understand the limitations of the average Nigerian because not everybody can afford laptops and devices and so if there are people who do have this access and feel confident that their children are ready for the exams, well, we are not compelling anybody to go to any school.

“What we have done is make the facilities in our schools available. “You all know that education is on the concurrent legislative list and we’ve asked that state government’s that own these schools, to provide places to wash hands, check the temperature of the children constantly, have sanitisers in place. Private schools should be able to provide that.”

Ekohotblog reported on Monday that the Federal Government announced the reopening of schools nationwide in the next phase of the gradual easing of lockdown as part of its measures to curb further spread of COVID-19, adding that only graduating students would be allowed to resume.

The government described the decision as “Safe re-opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in-person in preparation for examinations.”