FG Bans Assemblies, Overcrowding, As Schools Resume Monday

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday, banned overcrowding and large gatherings such as visiting days as schools resume back to session on Monday, 18th of January.

It also put limitations to class sizes and hostel occupancy and demanded that the schools enforce compulsory wearing of face masks by all students, teachers and workers of the school, as well as run temperature checks and put hand washing facilities in strategic locations in all schools.

The government also asked the school authorities to ensure constant supply of water and sanitisers, and make available functional health clinics with facilities for isolation and transportation of suspected cases to medical facilities.

These conditions was given by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in a statement by the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong.

The statement partly read; “Sequel to the hint given during the press briefing on January 12, 2021 for the review of the proposed resumption date of January 18, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Education has undertaken a comprehensive appraisal of the situation.

“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 January 18 should remain, while parents and respective institutions must ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

“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.”

According to him, the decision to maintain the resumption date is the aftermath of “extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, which includes governors, commissioners, proprietors and Head of institutions, staff unions and students”.

Adamu urged the students and schools to comply strictly with the Covid-19 protocols.