Nigeria’s Jan. 18 schools resumption date stands, says minister

Nigeria’s minister of education, Adamu Adamu, on Thursday said the initial schools resumption date of January 18 stands and that all schools are to reopen with full adherence to the COVID-19 prevention protocol.

The minister had on January 12, during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, said government would review the proposed January 18 resumption date.

But on Thursday, the minister said the Ministry of Education has undertaken a comprehensive appraisal of the situation and decided that the initial date should remain.

“After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, commissioners of education, proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students, the consensus of opinion is that the resumption date of 18 January should remain, while parents and respective institutions must ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols,” he said.

According to the statement signed by Ben Bem Goong, director, press and public relations, Ministry of Education, the protocols that schools must adhere to include compulsory wearing of facemasks by all students, teachers and workers in all schools; temperature checks and hand washing facilities at strategic locations in all schools; ensuring constant supply of water and sanitizers and, enforcement of maintenance of social distancing and suspension of large gatherings such as assembly and visiting days.

Others are avoiding overcrowding, including limitations in class sizes and hostel occupancy; availability of functional health clinics with facilities for isolation and transportation of suspected cases to medical facilities; adherence to all other non-pharmaceutical protocols, restrictions and containment measures as may be prescribed/approved by the PTF from time to time.

“These measures which are to ensure safe reopening of schools for academic activities will be subject to constant review as we urge teachers, school administrators and other stakeholders to ensure strict compliance,” the statement added.