UPDATED: FG Orders Reopening Of Unity Schools, Oct 12

The Federal Government has ordered unity schools to reopen across the Federation by October 12.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing in Abuja.

“We have consulted widely with all stakeholders in the education sector. Our eyes and ears are opened to the international media.

“I’m glad to report that there has not been any single case of COVID-19 in all Unity Schools. No single fatality among the students.

“We have come to the conclusion that we have to review our decisions. Consequently, after due consultation with the Presidential Committee on COVID-19, we have decided that all our 104 Unity Colleges should reopen on the 12th of October, 2020,” he said.

However, he said schools should now determine when to reopen in line with the public health advisory on covid-19.

“States and private school owners will work out the modalities for the opening of schools under their purview.

“Gentlemen of the press, as we all work toward the reopening of learning facilities nationwide, I strongly urge school owners to put in place systems that meet the following:

“Safe distancing procedures

“Develop and display at schools, simple context-specific reference protocols on day-to-day actions to be operated in each school.

“Conduct risk assessment with a view to understanding the gaps in the system that can increase the risk of transmission and make recommendations for addressing the gaps.

“Safety and hygiene in all stages and phases of the school reopening process which promote behaviours that reduce spread, such as school commutes (to and from school travelling), safe distancing, frequent hand washing and the use of face masks.

“Other guiding frameworks include sensitisation and monitoring procedures.

“Ensure adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities across the school premises.

“Encouraging use of open spaces for gathering and promoting outdoor activities.

“There should be regular temperature checks for all the visitors coming into the schools using infrared thermometers.

“Establish a staff/students committee for regular surveillance, monitoring and enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines,” he stated.

Also, he warned “that any school owner that does not comply with these guidelines and an outbreak occurs in the school due to negligence, risks closure.

“Be vigilant, strict and rigid in the implementation of COVID-19 protocols for the safety of our children and ourselves as we reopen schools,” he said.