The Presidential Task Force on Control COVID-19 said Wednesday that the federal government has not announced any date for the reopening of schools across the country.
Addressing journalists at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force in Abuja, Minister of State for Education, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, said reports on June 8 for reopening of schools were fake news.
“Until we are sure that our children can go to school and return safely without taking Covid-19 home, we are not ready to take the risk of opening schools,” he said.
He said the federal government would rely on the opinion of experts and the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO) before announcing any school resumption dates.
He said government was working on a model to ensure that children do not return to schools at the same time to ensure physical and social distancing, proper sanitation and hygiene at every school.
He said the plan entails adopting a two-shift system and allowing those who will write exams to return earlier than others.
He urged state governments and owners of private schools to plan ahead on how to ensure maximum safety of students when the resumption plan is unveiled.
Also speaking, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and chairman of Presidential Task Force, Mr Boss Mustapha, said COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, said government would roll out the course of action for the reopening of schools.
While congratulating children in the country on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day, the SGF urged stakeholders to begin to take steps that would aid the reopening of schools in the country.
“I wish to inform Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Education will roll out measures for the self-reopening of schools.
“The Presidential Task Force wishes to use the occasion of this celebration to congratulate our children and assure them, their parents and all stakeholders alike that all hands are on deck to reopen schools at a safe time.
“We, therefore, use this medium to urge states, local governments, proprietors and all other stakeholders to begin to take steps that will facilitate an early and safe reopening,” he said.
