The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has debunked rumours on the purported re-opening of schools on the June 8, 2020.
According to the Minister, no date has been fixed for the reopening of schools across Nigeria.
Speaking at the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, the Minister said a statement that was alleged to have emanated from the Ministry of Education directing the opening of schools, is not true.
He said the Federal government is being careful not to allow children to return to schools and expose them to the virus.
The Minister added that the Ministry will follow the guidelines and advice from the Ministry of Health and the NCDC before schools can be reopened.
He said the government is finalizing measures for safe re-opening of schools across the country.
Some of the measures to be in place before re-opening schools include fumigation of school environment, and proper arrangements for physical distancing in classroom sittings.
The Minister of State said the ministry would also explore the option of dividing teaching periods to morning and afternoon sessions.
He also stressed the need for Schools to ensure a strict adherence to health advisories against the Coronavirus which include washing of hands and the use of face masks by the students or pupils.
The Minister advised schools to use the opportunity of the school closure to engage in training and re-training of teachers through various virtual platforms to maintain the standard of education in the country.
