The Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday updated its guidelines for school reopening, suspending assembly, and visiting days in schools.
InsightnaijaTV reports that this was disclosed in a statement titled, ‘School resumption date of January 18, 2021 stands – Minister’, by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong.
According to the statement, the decision to reopen schools and review the COVID-19 protocols was following to a comprehensive appraisal of the situation.
The federal government directed that all students, teachers, and workers in all schools must wear facemasks at all times.
Part of the statement read, “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 18th January should remain, while parents and respective institutions must ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols including – the compulsory wearing of Facemasks by all students, teachers, and workers in all schools.
“Temperature checks and handwashing facilities at strategic locations in all schools.
“Ensuring a constant supply of water and sanitisers.
“Enforcement of maintenance of social distancing and suspension of large gatherings such as assembly and visiting days.
“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.”
