COVID-19: REPS IMPLORE FG TO POSTPONE SCHOOLS’ RESUMPTION BY THREE MONTHS

 The House of Reps, on Saturday, January 16, implored the Federal Government to postpone the resumption of schools across the country by three months over the COVID-19 pandemic.

This proposal was suggested by the Reps Committee on Basic Education and Services.

Millznations had reported that several state governments in Nigeria had directed schools in their domains to resume academic activities on January 18.

The Chairman of the Reps committee, Julius Ihonvbere, who made the call in a statement titled: “School resumption: Are we truly prepared?,” urged the FG to review the January 18 resumption date.

He implored the government to postpone the resumption by an additional three months over fears that there are no adequate measures in schools to check the spread of the COVID-19.

The statement read: “We are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under; schools were closed but now that it hovers well above 1,000 infections daily, schools are being reopened. Why are we rushing to reopen schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure our children?

The Reps fully appreciates the implications of continued school closure on the education sector as well as the larger economy and society. We also acknowledge that the pandemic would remain with us for a while; and we must design ways to live with it.

“Similarly, we acknowledge the argument that most young persons have not been as affected by COVID-19 and many are asymptomatic. Yet, it does not mean they have full immunity against the virus. We also know that they would be working and interacting with adult teachers; administrative workers; and other persons that do not live within the institutions.

“Aside Lagos and a couple of other states governments are unable to enforce COVID-19 protocols. People no longer wear facemasks or use sanitizers.

“Public enlightenment campaigns have more or less stopped. Merely saying they would adhere to the protocols is no guarantee. In rural areas, the situation is worse.

“Our position is that in spite of the very comprehensive protocols established by the Federal Ministry of Education; not up to 10 percent of our educational institutions have implemented five percent of the protocols.

“In most of our primary and secondary schools nationwide; adequate furniture; water; as well as other sanitation and hygiene facilities do not exist. Many poor parents would require support with facemasks and also sanitizers for their children. We have not heard of how this would be addressed.

“We doubt that teachers, instructors, and school managers have been adequately trained and also prepared; to handle COVID-19 safety protocols. We also know that adequate funds have not been provided to schools; to cope with demands that accompany the new normal.

“We would like to challenge the Federal Ministry of Education to first; independently monitor the extent of basic compliance with established protocols in all our schools; and also not just take words of state and local authorities as given.

“The lives of our children are worth much more than the interests as well as comfort of any politician or bureaucrat. It is only after a minimum 75 percent nationwide compliance that we can seriously talk about reopening schools.”