From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones On Tuesday announced the reopening of schools at all levels on September 14, 2020.
The Commissioner who made the announcement at a press briefing on Tuesday in Lokoja stressed that the reopening includes Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions in the state.
According to the Commissioner, the State Government arrived at this decision after series of interaction with the relevant stakeholders and assessment of both private and public schools in the state to ascertain their level of preparedness in observing the Covid-19 protocols by NCDC.
”You will recall that His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, had directed the closure of all schools from primary to tertiary institutions in the state from March 23rd, 2020, because of the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.”
However, the Federal Ministry of Education had earlier directed for the reopening of schools for exit classes of Primary 6, JSS3 and SS3 in Kogi on August 10, 2020.
”Therefore, upon further review and several meetings with relevant stakeholders, His Excellency has directed that all schools in Kogi State should fully reopen on September 14, 2020″
He, however, advised all heads of school to ensure full compliance with the Covid-19 protocols which had been clearly set out by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19.
”The ministry will review the state’s Academic Calendar accordingly to reflect on the new development, adding that the details would be worked out before resumption.”
The Commissioner disclosed that all relevant educational stakeholders like ANCOPSS, ASSUS, SUBEB, NAPPS, Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Kogi State, NUT, STETSCOM are free to liaise with us at the ministry for further clarification.”
”We are equally informing the general public, parents, guardians, and schools heads that health and safety of our children in Kogi State is upper most in our hearts”
