The federal government says it has agreed to consult with four other countries that partake in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), to consider a new date for the suspended examinations.
This is just as the federal government gave school owners in the country up to 29th July, 2020 to meet specific guidelines towards the reopening of schools at a date to be announced in due course.
The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who made this known in Abuja on Friday, said all concerns and divergent views shown by all stakeholders on the matter have been noted.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Information, Ben Bem Goong, Nwajiuba said the Ministry, having consulted widely, has in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control,(NCDC), the Education in Emergencies Working Group, developed and circulated guidelines for the reopening of schools.
The minister said school owners are to prepare and comply with the guidelines. He said schools are to undertake self-assessment and send feedback to State Ministries of Education, not later than 29th July, 2020.
“Thereafter, consultations with relevant stakeholders will be held to review the situation and decide on a specific date for reopening or otherwise”, the statement quoted the minister saying.
Furthermore, the Minister said, having taken the painful but necessary decision not to reopen schools without necessary preparations to ensure the safety of students and teachers, the Federal Ministry of Education has continued consultations with stakeholders, and a mechanism to assess and monitor compliance shall be put in place.
“Since Tuesday last week, we have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector, including Commissioners of Education in all the states of the federation, the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria,(APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools,(NAPPS), Provosts of Colleges of Education, Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice Chancellors of Universities, some State Governors, and development partners”, the statement quoted him saying.
“Parents should be rest assured that the safety of our students and teachers is paramount as we work assiduously towards speedy reopening of our schools for the exit classes to take external examinations”, he added.
