FG Okays ‘Safe Reopening’ Of Schools

The Federal Government has announced safe reopening of primary and secondary schools only for preparatory classes for graduating students and pupils in primary 6, JSS 3 and SS3.

Only students preparing for the National Common Entrance Examinations, NECO  and WAEC examinations, etc are to resume classes as long as the schools comply strictly with the recommended steps and required measures to be issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Government stated.

Meanwhile, the Federal government appealed to  schools to continue with the electronic learning and visual teaching, noting that all daycare and primary schools must remain closed till evaluation. Secondary and tertiary institutions are also to remain closed.

Dr. Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, made these known in Abuja.

He said: “Students in only graduating classes – Primary 6, JSS 3 and SS3, will be allowed to resume in preparation for examinations.

“All daycares and primary schools remain closed till evaluation. Schools are encouraged to continue with the electronic learning and visual teaching, but the pupils may proceed to take the National Common Entrance as soon as it is feasible, provided that they are compliant with issued non-pharmaceutical interventions.

“For secondary and tertiary institutions, all schools are to remain closed till further evaluation. Arrangements are to be made for exiting graduating students in JSS 3 and SS 3, to resume at both boarding and day schools as soon as possible for intensive revision exercise exercises.”

He further noted: “All educational establishments are to conduct exhaustive reviews to ensure compliance with the issued guidelines on COVID-19 before the opening up for this purpose. They will open up only for the purpose of exiting students.

“Arrangements to be made for students taking part in NABTEB and BEC exams, WAEC examinations, NECO and sub exams respectively.

“All schools must comply with the strict recommended steps and required measures to be issued by the federal Ministry of Education before an institution is reopened in the timeline to be provided.”