The Federal Government has said it is considering sectionalising classes for primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the country, as part of measures for the reopening of schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, stated this on Wednesday during a briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
Mr Nwajiuba debunked earlier reports that schools would reopen in the country on June 8 as false, noting the government could not afford risking especially the safety of pupils and students in the country.
He said, “Until we are sure these children can go to school, return safely and not bring up with them COVID-19 and infect people who are more susceptible than they are, then we are running a huge risk and God forbid, in our hurry, something happens to our children, I am not sure how anybody will be able to retrieve what has been lost.”
Nwajiuba said the ministry was being guided by the advice of experts including those of the World Health Organisation, noting that the decision to reopen schools would be carefully arrived at because education is on the concurrent list of the Nigerian Constitution.
He appealed to private owners of schools to co-operate with the government in ensuring a safe reopening.
