The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 has said that It would not compromise the safety of children
In line with this,it has released a 52 paged document that would give direction to resumption of school in the country.
As a condition for reopening,schools are required to undertake risk assessment in the interest of the teachers and learners., classes are to be restructured to reflect social distancing while hygiene must be maintained through the training of teachers in hygiene management.
The guidelines signed by the Minister of Health, Adamu Adamu and Minister of State for Health,Chukuemeka Nwajiuba also emphasised fumigation of schools and recommended online teaching and distance learning centres
The Minister of Education,Adamu had last week cancelled Nigeria”s participation in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE for reasons that schools under the federal government were not prepared for reopening as a result of the challenges posed by the Covid-19.
The Minister said WAEC ought to have consulted the federal government before announcing the date for the Exam.
While many Nigerians welcomed the government’s decision stopping participation,, the cancellation was not seen as a welcome development by a few Nigerians including management of private schools and the National Assembly, who asked the government to rescind its decision as it didn’t matter if children were exposed to the deadly disease or not
Reports that over 1.5 billion children globally are out of school is a pointer that Nigeria is not alone in protecting children from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Findings reveal that more than two third of public and private schools would not be able to meet up the guidelines for reopening of school.
The PTF also disclosed that scientists have discovered that the disease might be airborne.lf indeed it is true then there is every reason to worry about reopening school too quickly.
