FG dismisses claim of schools resuming on June 8

Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has dismissed reports that schools nationwide will be reopened for academic activities on Monday, June 8.

Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba who spoke at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 today May 27, said a statement that was alleged to have emanated from the task force directing the opening of schools, is not true.

He said the Federal government is being careful not to allow children return to schools and expose them to the virus. He added that the Ministry will follow the guidelines and advice from the Ministry of Health and the NCDC before schools can be reopened.

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic also assured Nigerians that plans for safe reopening of schools across the country were being put together.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the PTF, Mr Boss Mustapha, gave the assurance on Wednesday during the daily media briefing by the task force in Abuja. He said;

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation was faced with the challenge of out of school children. This has now been compounded by the compelling need for closure of schools as part of the measures to limit the spread of the virus.

“The PTF has been deliberating on this situation and wish to inform Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Education will roll out measures to be put in place for safe re-opening of our schools.

“The Hon. Minister of Education (State) will be elaborating on the subject, this afternoon. He will also clarify the purported announcement of the resumption date which went viral last week.

“The PTF 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 the schools at a safe time.

“We therefore use this medium to urge States, local governments, proprietors and other stakeholders to begin to take steps that will facilitate an early and safe reopening”, he said.

“In some of our previous briefings, the PTF hinted about the strengthening of community engagement in the control of COVID-19. I am pleased to inform you that a protocol has been developed and it gives community members greater involvement and ownership in identifying and supporting the case management process. The details will be unfolded in the coming days.”