The reopening of schools amidst the second wave of COVID-19 has been generating hiccups as the House of Representatives and some stakeholders faulted the decision, citing a surge in the cases.
The House said the reopening would pose a threat to the fight against the second wave of COVID-19.
It therefore advised the federal government to close all schools in the country for three months, a proposal the federal government did not adopt.
Earlier, the Presidential Task Force On COVID-19’s chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federatio, Mr Boss Mustapha said following the outbreak of COVID-19 second wave all schools in the country would remain shut till January 18, a day the federal government kept faith with.
No doubt, the outbreak of COVID-19 altered the school calendar and staggered resumption of students nationwide.
As another school calendar year begins, the World Health Organisation, W.H.O had issued new guidelines on the safe reopening of schools amidst second wave of COVID-19 in respect to the protection of nearly 1.3 billion students worldwide.
These include reduction of pupils in classes and fumigation of learning environment.
Similarly, the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control, NCDC, said some guidelines had been issued to schools to ensure the safety of the children and curtail the spread of the virus.
To complement these measures, schools management should ensure that conditions which reduce disease transmission and promote healthy behavior among the pupils are established.
Soap and water for hand-washing should also be made available while social distancing is maintained.
Regular inspection of schools is necessary to ensure that all COVID-19 instructions and guidelines are complied with.
Schools authorities must be made to inculcate COVID-19 safety protocols such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, physical distancing, use of masks in the school environmental, cleaning, ventilation and respecting procedures.
Olubunmi Agboola
pub-5160901092443552
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