Further to the gradual easing of lockdown across States, the Federal of Nigeria has directed the Authorities of Schools to ensure that they put in place approved preventive protocols and preventive measures against COVID-19 before announcing reopening of schools.
Speaking at the 2020 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions today, the Minister of Education, Mr Adamu Adamu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajuibe, said it would be wise for Heads of Institutions in the country not to wait until formal order for reopening of schools before putting necessary measures in place, in compliance with the advisories of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
According to the Education Minister, “all institutions of learning must have hand washing facilities, body temperature checks, body disinfectants at all entering points to their major facilities including the gates, hostels, classes and offices”, adding that the entire premises of each institution must be decontaminated and all efforts must be geared toward maintenance of highest level of hygiene.
“Ensure social and physical distancing in class sizes and eating spaces,” the minister added.
The process, he explained, was to enable response to the challenge so that it could limit and manage the negative effect of the pandemic.
Adamu however commended institutions that responded promptly with different innovations, including the manufacturing of some of the facilities that were required to attend to the pandemic.
Some of the innovations, as elucidated by the minister, were the production of ventilators, body disinfectants, hand washing materials, liquid dispensers and body temperature gauges.
The products, he added, were manifestations of the abundance of talents in the country.
He urged heads of institutions to showcase the various innovations and submit the details to the ministry in order to honour the inventors and as well serve as an encouragement to others with potentials.
The meeting, which was organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to signify the commencement of admissions into tertiary institutions, had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; Director General of the National Youth Service Corps and staff of the Board.
Other participants included the Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts of all tertiary institutions across the country, as well as members of JAMB governing board who attended the meeting via Zoom network, according to a report monitored on the News Agency of Nigeria website.
