The Federal Government has said that It’s decision stopping students from participating in the WASSCE scheduled to start on August 4,2020.remained the same.
The Minister of State for Education, Chukuemeka Nwajiuba who disclosed this to newsmen after a virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council FEC on Wednesday said that the position of the government on the matter remained the same.
He said consultations are ongoing between the Ministry with stakeholders in the Education sector on the best way possible while talks for the possibility of shifting dates of exam has begun between the West African Examination Council,(WAEC).,, stressing that when consultations are through, and there was a change in the ministry”s position,it would be communicated.
Nwajiuba said that the pandemic situation in the country is dicey and alarming,and the Ministry has put the situation before parents and stakeholders
Nwajiuba said ” We are not confident yet that everywhere is safe, the numbers from the NCDC, are alarming and we have put this before parents and all the stakeholders in the Education ecosystem, we are still meeting with them, infact there’s a stakeholders meeting convened for Monday”
The Education Ministry had disallowed Nigeria”s participation in the WASSCE following the increasing wave of transmission of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country coupled with the unpreparedness of the government and schools to guarantee total compliance with the protocols and guidelines required to allow for safety of learners and teachers.
The government on Monday issued a 52 paged new guidelines which it recommended for reopening of school.
Some of the guidelines are extension of classroom spaces to accommodate social distancing,training of teachers in hygiene management and undertaking risk assessment of the teachers and learners by school authorities.
The decision by government to disallow students participation in the WASSCE caused an uproar in the press.
Some proprietors of schools, parents, state governments and legislature had
opined that students continued stay at home was demoralizing, and would impair the image of the country,many, however, aligned with the government’s position.
The federal government”s stance is coming at a time many countries around the world are going back to lockdown.
Scientists have revealed that there is no vaccine yet as it could take up to 6 months or more to make it available.
The non adherence to experts advice had resulted in huge fatalities in some countries which is the reason why treading with caution is the best way to go
