The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Cross River chapter, has joined the fight against Ebola virus by distributing Ebola testing equipments to public primary and secondary schools across the state.
Eyo Nsa-Itam, chairman, NUT, said that the equipments were distributed in line with the directives of the Federal Ministry of Education that schools should procure Ebola testing equipments before resumption.
Nsa-Itam said that the reason for the non resumption of schools in the state was due to lack of Ebola testing equipments.
He said that the equipments were bought by NUT in collaboration with
Parent-Teachers’ Association (PTA) in the state.
“The resumption of schools is based on the templates given to us by the Federal Government, this include the provision of scanners, gloves, liquid soap, running water and others.
“As a union, we contributed N1.3 million for the procurement of hand gloves as part of the Ebola testing equipments to schools in the state.
“As part of this development, we also liaised with the PTA for their own
contribution so that schools can resume in the state; and they donated scanners.
“During our meeting with PTA, they categorically stated that every parent must pay
the sum of N200 each for their ward for the procurement of these equipments to enable us retrieve our money back’’, he said.
According to him, the union had written a letter to the state government to approve the collection of the N200 in schools, adding that schools would only resume when the approval is made.
“We are waiting for the state to reply back our letter; if the government gives us a circular today we will brief the press and give a date for the resumption of
schools.
“There must be a circular to back up the head teachers, and that is what we are waiting for’’, he said.
He appealed to the state government to support the union financially in order to help schools resume for academic activities.
MIKE ABANG
