By Sodiq Yusuf
The State Government of Osun is set to reopen
188 schools, consisting 13,177 students in exit
classes of Primary Six, Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 3 on Tuesday, August 4.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, teachers of the schools in Osun would resume on Tuesday, August 4, while students are to resume on Thursday, August 6 to prepare for the West African School Certificate Examinations expected to commence on August 17.
Egbemode stated that the partial reopening of schools was in line with the decision reached at a virtual consultative meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education, Commissioners of Education of the 36 States, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Proprietors of Private Schools and Chief Executives of examination bodies.
The commissioner, in a statement after the virtual State Executive Council meeting, held on Monday, said the partial reopening did not include schools that have opted to take the National Examination Council (NECO).
Highlighting the protocols expected for a successful management of the process, Egbemode said: “Parents are expected to provide face masks/nose covers for their children or wards, while principals and proprietors of schools are expected to ensure a tidy environment with desks arranged at least two meters apart. This social distancing shall be ensured by Class Wardens.
“The Ministry of Education shall provide buckets, soap, hand sanitizers, thermometers and also fumigate all schools. The Ministry of Health shall also provide Vitamin C tablets for students. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) or the Ministry of Health should be alerted in case of any sign of infection in any of the schools.”
Egbemode also said the Council resolved that “School owners and invigilators with suspended sentences of examination malpractice, are at risk of summary dismissal in the event of any new infractions during this year’s examinations”.
