FG issues fresh guidelines for reopening of schools

Federal government of Nigeria on Thursday evening issued fresh guidelines for reopening of schools.

The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Aliyu Sani, has announced fresh guidelines for the reopening of schools in the country. He released the new guidelines during a briefing in Abuja.

Recall that in March, the government ordered that all schools be shut following the outbreak of the COVID-19 infections in the country.

But in August, the PTF ordered the reopening of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions by state governments.

The FG also recently directed all Unity Schools across the country to reopen with effect from October 12.

However, while giving updates on Thursday, Sani said, “The Federal Ministry of Education, the PTF and the NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control) have developed guidelines to ensure schools can reopen, minimise the risk of transmission and continue to operate safely.

“Schools and educational bodies that plan to reopen must have detailed communication protocols that include parents, school health teams, school authorities and local (and) state officials.

“They must also have a system for providing regular updates for parents, staff and relevant authorities as well as communicate changes to procedures effectively and clearly as well as taking effective measures to understand how COVID-19 can spread and how to mitigate the spread in line with official guidelines.

“Specifically, school authorities have the responsibilities to ensure that everyone gaining access to their schools is screened properly, is wearing a mask and sanitising their hands.

“Boarding schools must have identified areas for screening and putting positive students aside.

“There must be access to running water and handwashing facilities.

“The health staff, particularly in boarding schools, must be trained and provided with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

“There must be appropriate waste management systems.

“Health facilities that are within the schools that serve the schools should have the ability to cater for an outbreak and a response protocol must be in place for these schools for students who test positive. In this regard, it is important to involve their parents and make sure that parents have signed consent forms in advance.

“Schools should also work in synergy with the local government rapid response teams and collaborate with the state ministries of health on planning, implementation and reopening of schools.

“We encourage schools to consider creative solutions to abide by these guidelines.”

Also speaking during the briefing, PTF Chairman, Boss Mustapha, explained that states have the responsibility to ensure the safe reopening of schools.

He said, “The Federal Government has just 105 schools all over the nation that are reopening. Over 18,000 schools do not belong to the Federal Government; they belong to states and private proprietors”.

However, he confirmed that the control of schools in the state, mostly primary and secondary schools, is the responsibility of the state government.