The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, on behalf of the Federal Government has announced the resumption of schools nationwide on Monday, January 18.
Mallam Adamu made the announcement following a meeting between Education Ministry and state Commissioners of Education in Abuja.
At the meeting, the Minister reached a consensus with Governors, Commissioners and other education stakeholders and it was agreed that schools will reopen a long as the laid down protocols are observed.
After the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Arc. Sonny Echono, said:
“The reopening of schools will be in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, especially strict adherence to non-pharmaceutical procedures.”
He added: “And the consensus is that we should reopen all schools.
“We have had extensive discussions with state governors, proprietors of schools, labour /staff unions and students’ representatives.”
Recall that in a circular dated 22nd December, 2020, and signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Federal Government had directed students to stay at home.
The stay at home order was for a period of 5 weeks, effective from Wednesday December 23, 2020, while awaiting further directive.
The orders followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of recommendations of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in the light of the second wave of infections in Nigeria.
President Buhari ordered officers on Grade level 12 and below to perform their duties from home.
Officers on Grade level 13 and above were to adhere to other preventive measures including the maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing and/or sanitising of hands, wearing of face masks and reducing the number of visitors.
He also encouraged virtual meetings in offices with a view to minimizing physical contact and to sustain the provision and use of necessary amenities in compliance with the existing guidelines on prevention of the spread of the pandemic.
More details will follow…
