Reps Oppose School Resumption, Propose Three-Month Postponement

Olatunji Isreal

Eko Hot Blog

• We were not consulted – Prof Julius Ihonvbere
• Special cleaning crews with sufficient sanitizers must be deployed to the classrooms

The House of Representatives has faulted the Federal Government for giving schools the go-ahead to resume on Monday despite the increasing cases of COVID-19.

The House said government officials did not consult the relevant committees of the National Assembly, contrary to their claim that all relevant stakeholders were consulted before arriving at the January 18, 2021, resumption date.

However, the house demanded postponement of resumption for three months, where necessary safety measures weren’t put in place and compliance with protocols low.
Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, disclosed these:

“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,” he said.

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“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?”

On the way forward, the House suggested that “Special cleaning crews with sufficient sanitizers must be deployed to the classrooms.

“Hand washing before entering the classroom and use of sanitizer once seated must be made mandatory.

“The Committee believes that if these and other critical steps are not taken, there should be a postponement by three months to enable the Local and State Governments put things in place adequately.