• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Sunday, September 24, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsNet Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
    • Oil and Gas
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • MORE
    • Interview
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Science & Tech
    • Videos
NewsNet Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
Home Education

COVID-19: Reps seek postponement of reopening of schools

by NewsNet Nigeria
3 years ago
in Education
COVID-19: Reps seek postponement of reopening of schools
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Whatsapp

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has cautioned the federal government against reopening schools amid the increasing number of deaths attributable to the coronavirus pandemic.

The House through its Committee on Basic Education and Services in a statement signed by the Chairman, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, said the earlier decision to reopen academic institutions was ill-timed.

It will be recalled that the Ministry of Education had announced that there was no going back on the Monday, January 18, 2020 resumption date.

The Committee observed that many states and individuals have abandoned adherence to the safety measures prescribed by the authorities to guard against the spread of the deadly virus.

The lawmakers, however, gave a number of safety measures to pursue by the federal Ministry of Education if the schools must be reopened for academic activities, seeking 3 months postponement to enable the state and local governments to put all the necessary facilities in place before the resumption.

The statement read in full: “The Committee on Basic Education and Services, House of Representatives has received with some concern the decision of the Federal Government to reopen schools on January 18, 2021.

“We are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under, schools were closed but now that it hovers well above 1000 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?

“The Committee fully appreciates the implications of continued school closure on the education sector and the larger economy and society. We also acknowledge that the pandemic would remain with us for a while and we must design ways to live with it.

“Similarly, we acknowledge the argument that most young persons have not been as affected by Covid-19 and many are asymptomatic.

“Yet, it does not mean they have full immunity against the virus. We also know that they would be working and interacting with adult teachers, administrative workers and other persons that do not live within the institutions.

“Aside from Lagos and a couple of other states, governments are unable to enforce Covid-19 protocols.

“People no longer wear facemasks or use sanitisers. Public enlightenment campaigns have more or less stopped. Merely saying they would adhere to the protocols is no guarantee. In rural areas, the situation is worse.

“Our position is that in spite of the very comprehensive protocols established by the Federal Ministry of Education, not up to 10 per cent of our educational institutions have implemented five per cent of the protocols. In most of our primary and secondary schools nationwide, adequate furniture, water and other sanitation and hygiene facilities do not exist.

“Many poor parents would require support with facemasks and sanitisers for their children. We have not heard of how this would be addressed.

“We doubt that teachers, instructors and school managers have been adequately trained and prepared to handle Covid-19 safety protocols.

“We also know that adequate funds have not been provided to schools to cope with demands that accompany the new normal.

“We would like to challenge the Federal Ministry of Education to first, independently monitor the extent of basic compliance with established protocols in all our schools and not just take words of state and local authorities as given.

“The lives of our children are worth much more than the interests and comfort of any politician or bureaucrat. It is only after a minimum of 75% nationwide compliance that we can seriously talk about reopening schools.

“Given that in primary and secondary schools, in particular, there are no facilities for effective social distancing in the classrooms, part of the compliance requirements must be the introduction of morning and afternoon batches into the schools when they reopen to reduce overcrowding.

“Special cleaning crews with sufficient sanitisers must be deployed to the classrooms before and after each stream. Hand washing before entering the classroom and use of sanitiser once seated must be made mandatory

“The school feeding programme should be suspended and converted to sealable snacks to be distributed once classes are over.

“As a government that has committed to protecting the interests of the Nigerian people, it would be wrong to allow unprepared state governments, of which many did not take the pandemic too seriously anyway, to hoodwink or pressure it into this reopening game.

“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. A word, they say, is enough for the wise”.

(VANGUARD)

Previous Post

COVID-19: Delta govt cancels transfer of teachers

Next Post

Father of girl allegedly killed by boyfriend in Delta gives own account

MORE NEWS

Overpopulation In Schools: Oghoro assures of Gov. Oborevwori’s determination to establish more public schools
Education

Overpopulation In Schools: Oghoro assures of Gov. Oborevwori’s determination to establish more public schools

September 23, 2023
Ashibogwu urges teachers in Delta to discharge their duties effectively 
Education

Ashibogwu urges teachers in Delta to discharge their duties effectively 

September 19, 2023
FUPRE Launches Maritime and Offshore Courses: Invites students for admission into 2023/2024 academic session
Education

FUPRE Launches Maritime and Offshore Courses: Invites students for admission into 2023/2024 academic session

September 2, 2023
Lady murdered, eyes plucked out by suspected ritualists in Delta
Education

Delta govt releases results into 17 Model Secondary Schools

August 18, 2023
Next Post
Father of girl allegedly killed by boyfriend in Delta gives own account

Father of girl allegedly killed by boyfriend in Delta gives own account

Leave Comment

RECENT STORIES

Delta PDP chieftain slumps, dies during mother’s birthday thanksgiving

Delta PDP chieftain slumps, dies during mother’s birthday thanksgiving

September 24, 2023
Tinubu inaugurates 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, tasks athletes to promote unity, sportsmanship

Tinubu inaugurates 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, tasks athletes to promote unity, sportsmanship

September 23, 2023
DAILY POST Correspondent in Delta, Matthew Omonigho becomes IGPCM fellow 

DAILY POST Correspondent in Delta, Matthew Omonigho becomes IGPCM fellow 

September 23, 2023
Overpopulation In Schools: Oghoro assures of Gov. Oborevwori’s determination to establish more public schools

Overpopulation In Schools: Oghoro assures of Gov. Oborevwori’s determination to establish more public schools

September 23, 2023
Swearing-in Of 9 New Appeal Court Justices: His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, The Olu of Warri, Represented By Chief Engr. (Dr) Olley Wilson Edun, The Aboludero Of Warri Kingdom, Alias OPUARO

Swearing-in Of 9 New Appeal Court Justices: His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, The Olu of Warri, Represented By Chief Engr. (Dr) Olley Wilson Edun, The Aboludero Of Warri Kingdom, Alias OPUARO

September 23, 2023

TRENDING STORIES

  • Delta pastor escapes lynching for allegedly sleeping with married church member

    Delta pastor escapes lynching for allegedly sleeping with married church member

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Police in Delta to impound covered plate numbers, tinted vehicles

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Samuel Adjogbe installed 1st President Rotary Club of Evwreni

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Police in Delta go tactical over spike in kidnapping in Asaba

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Police complete autopsy on Mohbad

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

NEWSNET NIGERIA Published By: Morex Consult Limited - Since 2020.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Local News
    • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
    • Oil and Gas
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • MORE
    • Interview
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Science & Tech
    • Videos

NEWSNET NIGERIA Published By: Morex Consult Limited - Since 2020.