*Says WAEC, NECO starts in August
*Reels out health protocols in schools
From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
The Minister of State for Education, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, on Monday, announced nationwide accademic resumption programme for primary six, Junior Secondary School-3 and Senior Secondary -3 students.
According to him, the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has been scheduled to commence in August.
Nwajiuba made the declarations at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
He said: “From the 4th of August to the 5th of September, please take note. Last week the Chairman of the PTF announced that school facilities will be available for those who want to go into revision classes.
“The idea here is that we have a whole month from now till then, those who can and those who are willing; the states who are willing should make their schools available for their children to revise.
“We have done the most we can with our representatives at WAEC and we have, this afternoon, confirmed that the dates allotted for the exams will be from the 4th of August through to the 5th of September”.
*Covid-19 protocol put in place for schools
Based on information available, teachers are to resume July 6th, primary 6, JSS 3, SSS 3 students are to resume July 13th, while achools are to open from 8 am – 12 noon (Mondays to Fridays), for day students, while boarding students are to remain in their respective schools without stepping out of the premises, once cleared and readmitted.
Similarly, all schools are to provide hand washing spots to guarantee regular washing of hands by students, teachers or anyone entering the school.
Sitting arrangement in classes must be mapped two metres from each other to prevent body contact.
It is compulsory for all students and teachers to use face masks.
Parents are also to compulsory use face masks anytime they are coming to drop or pick their children from school.
Assembly, social gatherings and sport activities are suspended forthwith.
Infrared thermometer to test body temperature are to be provided and used at the entrance of the school.
Any student, staff or visitor with high body temperature should not be allowed into the school.
Schools u a very also been banned from the use of air conditioners in classrooms but well ventilated classes, in which case, all windows must be fully opened.
Food vendors and hawkers of any other item are he forth disallowed in schools.
Day pupils/students are to bring their food, snacks etc. from home.
There should be no going out of the classrooms except when going to the rest room (toilet) which must be under close monitoring by care giver or teacher.
No hand shakes, hugging, physical contact or collecting of items like books, pen, spoon, cup, food, water etc. from one another.
Birthday celebrations/gifts in schools are suspended till further notice.
If any pupil, student or teacher shows any syptoms of Covid-19/malaria, such should not be allowed to come to school, but must stay home to be treated or call Covid-19 NCDC agents.
Borading students with such symptoms should be taken to the sick bay immediately, while arrangemnts are made to transfer such to a health facility immediately for adequate treatement and follow-up.
Students/pupils and teachers must have a pocket (handy) sanitizer for their personal use anywhere they go apart from the general one provided by the school.
Decontamination of classrooms, dormitories, surfaces and entire school environment frequently is compulsory.
Only one entrance should be open to any school premises for proper monitoring.
EOC (Emergency Operations Centers) will be going round schools to determine compliance with the Covid-19 prevention and protocols put in place by schools.
These precautionary measures should not only be observed in the school, it should be observed at home and public places to keep our children and us safe from Covid-19:
Parents and students are reminded to wash their hands with soap and water frequently; use alchohol-based hand sanitizer; use of face mas; to always maintain physical distancing and to report any case of corona virus symptoms.
