In a bid to ensure the safety of both school children and their Teachers, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has organised a two-day Workshop on COVID 19 on schools reopening for headteachers and principals of Junior Secondary Schools in the 23 Local Governments across the State
Addressing participants at Mount saint Gabriel’s secondary school Makurdi, Venue for Schools in Benue northwest Senatorial District, Commissioner for Education, Dennis Ityavyar said the training was for school administrators in the Basic Education sub-sector to highlight the critical importance of good hygiene practices to stern the tide of the Virus.
Professor Ityavyar who was represented by Director Special and Primary Education at the Ministry Martins Idoko stated that Basic Education would continue to roll out programmes and activities aimed at boosting enrolment, effective curriculum delivery and provision of infrastructure and appealed to teachers to strictly adhere to the guidelines on the partial reopening of schools to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
Read also: UBEC distributes sanitary items to Lagos primary schools
Executive Chairman SUBEB Comrade Joseph Utse restated his resolve to revive the erstwhile cherished image of Public Primary Schools and sued for partnership from various communities to achieve the set objectives adding that the Workshop was aimed at enhancing public enlightenment campaign among school administrators and Learners so as to strengthen the advocacy on physical distancing and other preventive measures.
Utse explained that about 2,235 Head Teachers and Principals of Junior Secondary Schools were selected from the 3 Senatorial Districts of the State with 714 coming from Benue North East, 806 from Benue North West, and 714 from Benue South.
He appealed to resource persons to carry out simulations especially on the proper way of handwashing with soap under running water, how to sneeze or cough properly into the elbow and expressed gratitude to Governor Samuel Ortom and Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC as well as other development partners for their interest and continued financial assistance for Basic Education in the State.
Augustina Sanchi, the State Coordinator of UBEC in a comment said the commission was concerned about the safety of both Teachers and children as regard COVID 19 and decided to support Benue SUBEB for the training while the Consultant La Tovez Limited Abuja represented by Lawrence Abozwar promised to carry out a thorough job for the interest of Benue Teachers and children.
Mike Kusah, Permanent member 1 at SUBEB, and Regina Nyitar, Director Academic Services, in separate commended everyone that contributed to the success of the exercise while some participants Francis Saaondo from GBOKO, Gideon Anyombee from GWER, and Christiana Ahemba of TARKA all promised to ensure that COVID-19 Protocols are strictly observed when schools reopen.
