By Mohammed Mohammed
The Minister of State for Education, Chief Emeka Nwajiuba, on Friday said government is winding up on decision on the resumption of school even as the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to subsides.
Making the disclosure, via a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister gave school proprietors up till July 29 to meet some protocols and guidelines towards the reopening of schools.
He however was optimistic that a date for resumption will soon be announced soon.
According to him, Nigeria has resolved with 4 countries on a new date for the suspended West African Examinations Council, (WAEC).
Government, according to him, had consulted widely, with other stakeholders and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC), the Education in Emergencies Working Group, have agreed on guidelines for the reopening of schools.
In a statement, signed by his Director of Public Affairs the minister, urged school owners to be prepared to comply with the expanded guidelines.
He said: “Schools are to undertake self-assessment and send feedback to state ministries of education, not later than 29 July 2020.”
Having taken the painful but necessary decision not to reopen schools without necessary preparations to ensure the safety of students and teachers, the Ministry of Education has consulted with stakeholders, and a mechanism to assess and monitor compliance shall be put in place.
He said: “Since Tuesday, we have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector, including Commissioners of Education in all the states of the federation, the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria,(APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools,(NAPPS), Provosts of Colleges of Education, Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice-Chancellors of universities, some state governors, and development partners.”
“We met with WAEC on Monday and have agreed to further consult with four other countries on new examination date.”
“FG appreciates the concern shown by all stakeholders and note the divergent views expressed on the matter.”
He assured parents that the safety of their children and teachers is key as even as government work towards the speedy reopening of our schools for the exit classes to take external examinations,” he added