From Chidi Asonye, Umuahia
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has responded to an open letter penned by a concerned citizen, Janny Lily, over the need to reopen schools in the state.
The letter which went viral on Facebook and dated 8th September, 2020, called on the governor to assess the education sector in the state with a view of drawing up a resumption school calendar to take the kids off the streets and homes.
“I speak from the standpoint of a concerned parent who is bothered about the future of her wards and the need for them to make hay while the sun shines,” the letter also said.
Lily had also unequivocally reminded the governor that those who live on River banks do not wash hands, managing water even as she had insisted that she came in peace, while praying, “that this my piece of mind meets in good stead and hope that it touches you and spur you to action.”
In a reply after the letter was published by an online medium, PARROTNEWS, Gov. Ikpeazu admitted he shared in her concerns regarding the plight of Abia children especially as they are confined to the house due to the prevailing concerns of Covid-19.
According to the governor, his government is keen on opening schools but expressed concern that as a leader, “I am more concerned about the safety and lives of our children even as I acknowledge the importance of education.
“The fear of what will happen if Covid breaks out in a school setting and the attendant playful nature of children will scare every caring parent.
“However, we did not shy away from recalling all our children in the exam classes, it was experimental since we had to test run our capacity to keep our children safe , starting with a small number.”
Gov. Ikpeazu disclosed that his administration has started the procurement of sanitizers and face masks , hand washing stations among others in large numbers even as he assured a mini summit to review gains and challenges of the test run against the backdrop of current medical knowledge about the pandemic, later in the month.
