Reopening of schools: FG lists six conditions

Following the closure of schools nation-wide as a result of Covid-19, the federal government has released a set of conditions all schools and universities in the country must meet before reopening.

The minister of state for education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, announced the conditions in Abuja at the 2020 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) on Tuesday, June 16.

Nwajiuba said the six conditions are put in place to protect pupils and students against the ravaging coronavirus disease. All heads of schools and universities have been tasked to start putting measures in place to meet the conditions before the announcement of reopening by the federal government.

Below are the six important conditions listed by the minister:

(1) Hand-washing facilities

(2) Body temperature checks

(3) Body disinfectants at all entering points to their major facilities including the gates, hostels, classes, offices, etc.

(4) The whole premises of each institution must be decontaminated

(5) All efforts must be geared toward maintenance of the highest level of hygiene

(6) Ensure social/physical distancing in class sizes and meeting spaces.

Meanwhile, after over two months of putting schools under lock and key due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Oyo state government has taken a giant bold step by lifting the ban on learning centres effective from Monday, June 29.

The decision was conveyed by the executive governor of the state, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, June 15, via a statement by his chief press secretary, Taiwo Adisa. Makinde declared that students in primary 6, JSS3 and SS3 should resume back to their respective schools in the state.

The governor also directed workers of all category to resume at the state secretariat from June 22, adding that in line with the federal government directives, curfew will henceforth be observed from 10pm to 4am.