COVID 19: FG To Open Schools July- Ministry Source

By Fola James

The minister of state for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba has disclosed that  the federal government is overwhelmed and could no longer bear the pressure from parents and other stakeholders, demanding that schools be re-opened for students to resume study .

A top ministry of education sources informed the magazine on Tuesday that federal government controlled schools could open by mid-july.

The Federal Government had in March shut all schools in the country as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The minister however, disclosed that schools will be open again after the inter-state lock down has been lifted.

He explained that the decision was reached following series of meetings with heads of government institutions in the country.

Recall that Dr Dani Aliyu, the National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID 19 said inter-state movement and local flights will be allowed from June 21.

Nwajiuba also stated that all options are still on the table to further curtail the spread of the virus, as the federal government will do everything not to endanger the lives of Nigerians.

He said schools will be opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

According to the minister, “We want to open when it is safe to do so. We have heard about neighbouring countries that opened and shut.

We have heard about cases spiking with children getting into school. Of all the things I will like to do, I will not like to experiment with your children.

We want a situation where once we are sure it is safe, we can then take them into school.”

The government had met with various education stakeholders, the minister said.

“I have just finished a meeting with the representatives of WAEC and NABTEB and I understand how that worries our parents at the moment and how anxious our children are to know what next.

As soon as those in charge of the blockade lift it because there is no way we can open our schools if teachers can’t come. So, we are looking at somewhere after the interstate lockdown is lifted.

Because we will need that kind of openness for the children to move.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt from sources in the Ministry of Education in Abuja that, the government is considering re-opening schools by the middle of July.

“But states will determine when schools will open in their various jurisdictions, since education is on concurrent list,” the ministry official said on Tuesday.