The Education Commissioners in the 19 Northern States have thrown their weight behind the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu ‘s decision to suspend the nationwide reopening of schools after the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
After a virtual meeting on Friday, July 10, a statement issued by the commissioners thanked the Minister of Education for taking a firm stance against reopening the school and pledged their full support. Keeping schools closed is, according to Commissioners, a sure step towards ensuring children remain safe.
“We have, therefore, resolved that schools should be reopened only when it is safe to do so and when states have complied with the minimum COVID-19 safety protocols as outlined by the NCDC.
We will also participate in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and other examinations only when it is safe to reopen schools and when coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education,” the statement read
The commissioners have agreed to undertake a thorough review of the schools in their respective states to determine the safety status of each school for reopening and to send reports for consideration to their respective governors. They urged their respective state governments to take measures to provide essential facilities needed by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control to reopen schools as stated.
“Schools’ infrastructure, such as dilapidated classrooms, students’ hostels, source of safe water, sanitary facilities, including handwashing equipment and security are critical and should be improved. We will equally clear schools of bushes and grasses, as well as fumigate school’s surroundings to support learning and ensure safety when schools resume,” their statement read
Commissioners from 13 of the 19 northern states, namely Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Niger, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara, Katsina, Kano, Borno and Jigawa, participated at the virtual meeting.
