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Tag: Schools

  • Covid-19: FG bans overcrowding, gives other condition as schools resume Monday

    Covid-19: FG bans overcrowding, gives other condition as schools resume Monday

    The Federal Government, on Thursday, banned overcrowding and large gatherings such as assemblies and visiting days, as schools reopen on Monday.

    It also put limitations to class sizes and hostel occupancy and asked the schools to ensure compulsory wearing of face masks by all students, teachers and workers, as well ensure temperature checks and put hand washing facilities in strategic locations in all schools

    The government also asked the school authorities to ensure constant supply of water and sanitisers, and make available functional health clinics with facilities for isolation and transportation of suspected cases to medical facilities.

    The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, gave the conditions in a statement by the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Bem Goong.

    According to him, the decision to maintain the resumption date is the aftermath of “extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, commissioners of education, proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students.”

    Adamu told parents and the respective institutions to ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

    The statement read in part, “Sequel to the hint given during the press briefing on January 12, 2021 for the review of the proposed resumption date of January 18, 2021, the Federal Ministry of Education has undertaken a comprehensive appraisal of the situation.

    “After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including state governors, commissioners of education, proprietors and heads of institutions, staff unions and students, the consensus of opinion is that the resumption date of January 18 should remain, while parents and respective institutions must ensure full compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

    “These measures, which are to ensure safe reopening of schools for academic activities, will be subject to constant review as we urge teachers, school administrators and other stakeholders to ensure strict compliance.”

    When asked how the government intends to curtail further spread of the virus with the planned resumption, Adamu school authorities would be asked to ensure strict compliance with existing and fresh guidelines that would be released.

    He added, “We shall be warning stakeholders, particularly school authorities to ensure strict compliance with protocols.

    “For instance, we will have no choice than to enforce compulsory use of face masks by teachers and students.

    “We will also make it clear that we shall be reviewing the situation from time to time after resumption with a view to taking necessary decisions.”

    Recall that the United Nations Children’s Fund had called on governments across the world to spare no effort to keep schools open or prioritise them in reopening plans despite the increasing cases of COVID-19.

  • Just in: FG finally approves Jan.18 date for re-opening of schools

    Just in: FG finally approves Jan.18 date for re-opening of schools

    The Federal Government on Thursday agreed that all schools should be re-opened on Monday, January 18 across the country.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu had said government would review the date of resumption and would get back to the public as cases of COVID-19 moves up.

    But on Thursday, after reaching consensus with Governors, Commissioners and other stakeholders, the Federal Government gave the go ahead for re-opening nationwide.

    Adamu, who met with Commissioners of Education in Abuja, said it was okay that the schools should be re-opened.

    According to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, the government has had extensive discussions with state governors, proprietors of schools, labour /staff unions and students’ representatives.

    He said the consensus was that they should be re-opened on Monday.

    Echono stated that the reopening of schools would be in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, especially strict adherence to non-pharmaceutical procedures.

  • COVID-19: Bauchi govt insists on reopening schools Jan 18

    COVID-19: Bauchi govt insists on reopening schools Jan 18

    Despite the Federal Government’s resolution to review schools reopening on January 18 the Bauchi State government on Tuesday insisted schools in the state will reopen for the first term of the 2020/2021 academic session next Monday.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, had on Monday revealed at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing that the Federal Government was reviewing the Monday, 18th January school resumption date earlier scheduled.

    However, reacting to this in a statement made available to TheNewsGuru on Tuesday, Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Aliyu Tilde, said all schools in the state would reopen on Monday, 18th January irrespective of any review made by the Federal Government.

    The state government’s resolve on the date, according to Tilde, was due to the fact that no single COVID-19 case had been reported in any schools in the state so far.

    He noted that any attempt to change the 2020/2021 session’s resumption date due to the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic would lead to the mutilation of the session as witnessed in the 2019/2020 session.

    “To date, not a single case of COVID-19 infection is reported in our schools. Therefore, regardless of any review that may take place in some quarters, Bauchi State Ministry of Education is determined to reopen schools in the state on January 18th, unfailingly, as earlier decided by the State Executive Council.

    “The 2020/2021 school calendar starts that day. Unless we stand resolute on our school plan for the year, the session will be mutilated by the fear of COVID-19 as was 2019/2020,” Tilde stated.

    In view of the state government’s decision to go ahead with schools resumption date, the commissioner called on parents, teachers, students and other stakeholders to prepare for the resumption.

    While assuring that Bauchi State would avoid COVID-19 by using its familiar protocol of face masks, social distance, sanitation and testing in schools, Dr Tilde submitted that schools would not be closed “except under a resoundingly imminent emergency.”

     

  • BREAKING: Kaduna denies approving FG’s resumption date for schools

    BREAKING: Kaduna denies approving FG’s resumption date for schools

     

    The Kaduna State Government has said news of the purported resumption date of schools in the state 18th January, 2021 is fake and mischievous.

    Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Education, Phoebe Sukai Yayi made this known in a press statement made available to TheNewsGuru.com.com, TNG on Friday.

    According to her, “…the ministry is informing the public that the news is FAKE and MISCHIEVOUS as Kaduna State Government is yet to make any announcement on that. The state government is assessing the Covid-19 pandemic with keen interest and will issue a statement when it seems fit and safe for the students to resume”

    “Meanwhile, the public is hereby enjoined to disregard the purported statement” she added.

    TNG reports that the Federal Government recently approved schools to reopen on January 18 but under strict COVID-19 protocols.

  • Govt postpones resumption of schools in Delta State

    Govt postpones resumption of schools in Delta State

    Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has announced a new resumption date for second term for all public and private primary and secondary schools in the State.

    This is according to a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah in Asaba.

    Ukah in the statement said resumption of public and private primary and secondary schools earlier scheduled for January 11 has changed.

    The statement indicated that boarders are to return on Sunday, January 17 2021 and classes will start on Monday, January 18, 2021.

    While urging parents and guardians to strictly adhere to the new dates by preparing the pupils and students for school resumption, the statement added that resumption tests will take place on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

    Mr. Ukah reminded pupils and students that the resumption test will be part of their continuous assessment.

    The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner added that the Ministry regretted the inconvenience the postponement of the earlier dates would cause the pupils, students, parents and other education stakeholders in the sector.

  • BREAKING: Lagos sets date of resumption for private, public schools

    BREAKING: Lagos sets date of resumption for private, public schools

    Public and private schools in Lagos have been ordered to reopen for 2020/2021 second term academic activities on Monday, January 18th 2021.

    This was announced by the state commissioner for education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo in a statement by the Head, Public Affairs, Ministry of Education, Kayode Abayomi.

    Schools are also expected to make virtual learning available in the statement titled ‘All public and private schools in Lagos State to resume 18th January 2021’

    It reads: “All public and private schools below the tertiary level in Lagos State should be reopened for the second term 2020/21 academic session from Monday, 18th of January, 2021.

    “Schools should have flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick can teach or learn from home via available online platforms. Schools should also strive to avoid any COVID-19 infection among all students and staff,” the statement read in part.”

    The commissioner said this was in line with the Federal Government’s directive and the second wave of the COVID-19.

  • Sad tales from a mission school – Francis Ewherido

    Sad tales from a mission school – Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    Merry Christmas to you, although the news coming out of Deeper Life High School in Akwa Ibom is not merry. Earlier in the week, the news broke of an 11-year-old male student of the school, who was molested and maltreated by senior students. The principal had allegedly moved the victim from a junior students’ hostel to a hostel with mainly senior students, where the senior students inserted their fingers, toes and only God knows what else into the victim’s anus. Why the principal will make such a thoughtless decision beats me hollow. The mother of the victim in her viral video lamented that boarding house is no longer what it used to be. I understand her pains and frustration, but it is not true; cases of sexual abuse and maltreatment of younger students have always occurred in boarding schools, unfortunately. I was with a septuagenarian recently, who lost a former classmate. The major thing he remembered about his old schoolmate was his sexual abuse of a younger student in the 60s, which led to his expulsion. He later finished from another school and became a professor later in life before he died. Very few schools have been able to stamp out sex abuse, bullying and maltreatment of junior students, especially in the boarding house.

    The onus is actually on parents to decide on the school their child should attend and at what point the child should go to the boarding house. What factors should guide parents in making these decisions? I had written previously on this topic. The convenience and economic circumstances of some parents determine which school they send their children to and whether they go from home or stay in boarding. In truth, school-runs can be very disruptive and inconveniencing for parents whose children are day students. But ideally the needs, strength and overall personality of the child in question should guide parents in taking an informed decision. Many children start secondary school between ages 10 and 12. Our subject today is 11 years. Where the child is outgoing, sociable and secure, sending him/her to the dormitory is a less difficult decision. Schools with good boarding arrangements teach children at an early age to be independent, disciplined and organized; they also teach them how to relate well with people of different backgrounds and orientations. They help to build long-lasting bonds that can come handy in the future. But if the child is introverted, insecure and vulnerable, you need to take your time and find out if the child is ready for the outside world without parental cover.

    You also need to consider the health status of your child before you send him/her to the dormitory. I will not encourage parents who have children with health challenges to send them to the dormitory, except the school has a high standard of care and excellent health facilities. Also if the child is bed-wetting, can he survive the taunts that will inevitably come from other students? If he has a rhino-thick skin, then he can go to the dormitory, but if he is very sensitive, maybe he needs to be a day student until he stops bed-wetting. The principal sent our subject matter to the senior hostel because he was bed-wetting. Was that meant to stop him from bed-wetting or to serve as a punishment? It is like throwing a sheep to a pack of wolves. The outcome is not surprising.
    When I started secondary in the 70s, many fresh students and even a few old students were still bed-wetting, so what is so strange or unusual about bed-wetting? It is just nature. Ultimately everyone outgrows it. The principal made a grievous error of judgment. That is shocking decision making. Doesn’t he have children? Don’t (didn’t) they bed-wet? Even if his children don’t (didn’t), he cannot be exonerated from blame. That is administrative ineptitude
    Another factor parents must consider before sending their children to the boarding house are the looks of their male children. If your son is very attractive or feminine-looking, you really need to tutor him on how to resist predators that abound in some secondary schools. Our subject matter was a good-looking, chubby boy when he entered the school, although he was a bag of bones when the news broke out. Predators usually target good-looking and vulnerable young students. You might want to investigate whether such acts take place in your child’s would-be school, but experience has shown that when you bunch people of the same sex in an enclosed environment over time (be it school or prison) homosexual tendencies begin to emerge. It might not be obvious, but it is there.

    Thankfully, many of these youngsters outgrow it when they get older and start interacting with the opposite sex. That is why I am against labeling such young, impressionable minds as homosexuals, the early tendency notwithstanding. But parents need to be sure that their children are strong-willed enough to fend off predators before sending them to the dormitory. Prevention, they say, is better than cure. Some people say mixed schools remedy the situation. Well, maybe, but they come with their own baggage and challenges, teenage pregnancies being an example. Moreover, are homosexual tendencies absent in all mixed schools?
    Some schools are also filled with bullies; can your child survive the onslaught? Constant bullying can easily cause personality disorder. It is too early to know the extent of psychological damage the maltreatment of our subject matter has done; only time will tell, but the parents certainly have work on their hands. The mother said he will not be going back to the school. That is the right decision. He needs to move to a new school and environment as part of his healing. Seeing the same environment and people, who molested him, might affect the healing process. But I am shocked that the mother openly showed the boy’s face. He is a minor and his identity should have been hidden. I hope this error of judgment will not come back to bite her. Some school children, not necessarily in the dormitory, in the US are known to have committed suicide as a result of bullying. Even when some children survive the bullying, they imbibe it and bully their younger ones when they come home on holidays. Incidentally, some of these schools are very good in academics and other areas, so parents are forced to stick with them and manage their children’s bullying attitude.
    Some parents shirk their parental responsibilities at the early stages of their children’s development and push their poorly-brought-up children to the dormitory for reformation. This is very common in mission schools like the one where our subject matter was molested. I do not know how these parents want a few clergy men and women and other staff who oversee thousands of students, to accomplish what they, who oversee only three or four children, could not accomplish. Sometimes children from such homes become pollutants in the school environment. Ensure that your child has that strength of character to counter their negative influences before you put him/her in the dormitory. It is not as if he/she is totally immune to bad external influences as a day student, but it is more when he/she is in the dormitory. Sometimes parents keep their children at home for a while to enable the parents deepen certain values in them before sending them to the boarding house; sometimes it is to give the children more time to master their indigenous language. Some children are easily influenced and the parents decide they go to school from home to reduce bad external influences pending when they become self-assured.
    I left home for secondary school when I was 11 years old. That was the first time of staying and sleeping outside my home. I was vulnerable, but my parents had no choice; there were very few secondary schools in the 70s and admission was hard to come by. Life in the hostel was tough. A week later, when my father visited, I felt like going home with him, but did not have the courage to tell him. Worsening my dormitory experience was a senior student who hated me at first sight. He practically turned my life upside down. He never flogged me, but that would have been preferable to the mental torture he put me through. It was a horrendous introduction to the outside world. I was happy to see his back when he graduated.

    Whatever the challenges, no normal child remains under the protection of the parents forever. At some point, the eaglet must leave the eagles’ nest. A stint in the dormitory is good for a child’s all-round development. When? That is the issue. Keeping the best interest of your child in mind enhances your decision making. For the parents of the abused child, the interest of the boy should guide them in their next action. As for the school authorities, they should ensure justice is done for the boy, whether or not he remains in the school. Beyond that, they should put measures in place to avoid a reoccurrence. Normally, when scandals like these occur, schools are more interested in damage control than the protecting the interest of the abused child. I had a personal experience when I followed a friend to his son’s school.

    Some parents let down their guards once their children are in mission schools. Sometimes, the students are treated as numbers rather than individuals with different personalities. There might still be a few mission schools, where you can take your child to and rest assured, but I guess we all know better now.
    I wish all readers and followers of this column a Merry Christmas and a fruitful 2021.

  • COVID-19 second wave: All schools to remain closed till January 18 – FG

    COVID-19 second wave: All schools to remain closed till January 18 – FG

    The Federal Government on Monday ordered closure of schools in the country till 18th of January, 2021.

    This became necessary following the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

    The chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this at a press briefing of the task force in Abuja.

    Mustapha said schools in the country are to remain shut till announced date in order to enable new measures to take effect.

    “The PTF on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education expects that schools would have vacated from the 18th December 2020 and remain closed till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect,” Mustapha added.

    The government also directed that persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities to stay at home and avoid crowded areas.

    “Also all non-essential travels; both domestic and international during this holiday season are seriously discouraged.”

    REMARKS OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PTF FOR THE NATIONAL BRIEFING OF MONDAY, 21ST DECEMBER, 2020

    ​I welcome you all to the National Briefing for Monday 21st December 2020

    ​Over the past four briefings, the PTF has been raising the alert flag on the rising number of infections in the country and the possibility of a second wave arriving at our shores.

    ​Recent Epidemiology records confirm to the PTF that Nigeria is now facing a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide which is similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries across the world.

    Particularly, Lagos, Kaduna and the FCT have emerged as the new epicentres during this period, with over 70% of all confirmed cases.

    Two major indicators highlight the current increase in cases and transmission across Nigeria. These are:

    Notwithstanding the fact that our testing numbers are fast approaching the peak recorded in July 2020, the number of cases being reported are disproportionately higher.

    For example, in the FCT, despite recording an increase of 85% in tests conducted over the last week, the number of confirmed cases increased by 285% during the same time period; and

    These trends point to a higher Test Positivity Rate (TPR) – the number of positive cases detected as a proportion of all tests).

    The TPR was below 5% through September and October and we recorded a low point of 3% nationally in late October 2020. However, recent trends in cases have seen this number increase to 10% in the second week of December.

    These high numbers are further reflected in the increase of admissions to COVID-19 treatment centres and fatalities, particularly in the three epicentre states.

    ​The result of the analysis carried out by the PTF further indicate that the current pattern of spread and the surge is likely to be driven by the following factors:

    The lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions – particularly the disregard for mask use in public, large gatherings as a result of events linked to the yuletide season and recent civil demonstrations,

    Further disregard for other public health preventive measures, such as hand hygiene and physical distance requirements,

    The activities and assumptions of our youthful population which has resulted in an increase in the infection rate among young people, who are subsequently infecting older and more vulnerable family members.

    ​From our assessment, the current situation are clearly the consequences of certain occurrences and events of the last few weeks. These include:

    Sudden increase in social gatherings involving large congregations from different parts of the country, and the world, at events such as weddings, religious activities, political rallies, conferences and end of year celebrations,

    These events, classified globally as ‘supers-spreader events’, make the risk of a single infection causing a large outbreak among attendees significantly higher,

    Furthermore, as we reopened the economy, we experienced increased economic, social and religious gatherings and activities all of which have combined to play a part in viral transmissions. These include:

    The opening of the international airspace in September 2020 – while the average number of daily imported infections into the country in the last 90 days is estimated to be about seven cases, compared to 100-150 reported new infections in the community since the beginning of community transmission, the test positivity rate in travellers arriving Lagos has recently doubled to 6.3%,

    The resumption of schools – outbreaks have been reported in schools following the resumption of physical classes,

    The resumption of NYSC orientation camps – this risk has been mitigated by ensuring that all NYSC members were screened for COVID-19 prior to admission to camp, but confirmed cases have still been identified through tests carried out,

    The full opening of offices with the return to work of government workers from GL. 12 and below – outbreaks have also been reported in public offices, most likely linked to overcrowding, poor ventilation and the lack of compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions, and,

    The opening of the economy with progressive relaxation of restrictions in congregational areas such as places of worship, restaurants, bars, lounges, shopping, and event centres.

    You will also recall that the PTF established the Nigeria International Travel Portal for the control of possible importation of the virus.

    Statistics show that a good percentage of in-bound travellers have breached the travel protocols thereby making surveillance and testing suffer undue setbacks.

    The following statistics will be of interest:

    As at date, 163,818 inbound travellers have been captured on the portal,

    Out of this number, 77,025 (47%) made payment for post-arrival testing,

    64,405 (84%) of the number are due for post-arrival test,

    Out of 44,189 (69%) that were due for post-arrival test, 44,189 representing (59%) of those tested, and,

    20,216 (31%) have not shown up for post-arrival test thereby endangering members of the community and breaching the protocols they signed up to.

    ​The PTF has concluded arrangements with the Nigeria Immigration Service to impose sanctions on these defaulters for breaching the public health protocols, within the ambit of the law.

    ​The PTF has surveyed developments and actions taken by governments around the world, assessed our domestic environment and has accordingly submitted its recommendations to Mr President on immediate measures to be taken.

    ​Accordingly, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorised the PTF to engage with the States and the FCT to assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions.

    ​In line with the authorisation, the PTF wishes to issue the following advisories to sub-national entities for implementation over the next five weeks because these activities are considered super spreader events:

    Close all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and recreational venues,

    Close all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed,

    Restrict all informal and formal festivity events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 persons,

    Limit all gatherings linked to religious events to less than 50% capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced,

    Where more than 50 persons are attending, any such events, the gathering should be held outdoors only,

    Public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.

    Enforce compliance with NPI protocols, especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces,

    To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools, states are advised to implement the following:

    Encourage virtual meetings in government offices. The leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home where possible,

    All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks,

    The PTF on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education expects that schools would have vacated from the 18th December 2020 and remain closed till at least the 18th of January 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect,

    All persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities are to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds,

    All non-essential travels – both domestic and international during the holiday season are seriously discouraged,

    To strengthen risk communication and community engagement activities over the next five weeks, states are encouraged to:

    Engage community and religious leaders, arrange town hall meetings (ideally set outdoors) to address concerns,

    Intensify public messaging activities, leveraging on existing government and partner assets,

    Reach out to youths and younger adults with health promotion activities,

    Invest in local face mask purchase and distribution to the general public to encourage use.

    Where applicable, the PTF shall also implement these authorisations.

    For example, it shall work with the Nigeria Immigration Service to impose sanctions on all in-bound travellers who violated the travel protocols and endangered the lives of their loved ones and other citizens by refusing to take the post-arrival test.

    The PTF will similarly work with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to implement aspects related to the Public Service.

    ​A lot of discussions is still going on around the calls for the restriction of international travels due to the discovery of new strains of the virus in certain countries.

    The PTF, Aviation and health authorities including the WHO, are assessing the situation closely and would take a position as soon as a cogent scientific basis are established.

    The protection of Nigerians remains our primary concern and we reassure Nigerians of our resolve not to relent.

    ​Tomorrow, Tuesday 22nd December 2020 at 3.00pm, the PTF shall be submitting its end of the year (2020) Report to Mr President and Nigerians shall be kept abreast of developments in this regard.

    ​I now call on the Hon. Minister of Health, the Director-General (NCDC) and the National Coordinator to update you on the technical developments.

    ​I thank you for listening.

  • Zamfara, Kano order immediate closure of day, boarding schools for fear of bandit attacks

    Zamfara, Kano order immediate closure of day, boarding schools for fear of bandit attacks

    The Zamfara State government has ordered the immediate closure of some Boarding and Day Schools in the state.

    Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, who is the Commissioner for Education, made the announcement while briefing reporters in Gusau, the state capital.

    He explained that the affected schools were those that share borders with Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto States.

    The commissioner noted that the three states were prone to banditry, saying that the decision was important to forestall any form of attack on the schools.

    He added that the action was necessary considering the security situation in the country and to prevent what happened at the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State.

    Abdullahi assured parents and guardians that the safety of the students was paramount to the state government.

    He revealed that the government has concluded plans to deploy security operatives to the remaining schools that were not closed.

    The affected educational facilities comprise seven boarding schools and day schools.

    Boarding schools listed include G.S.S. in Tsafe, G.S.S. in Magaji, G.A.S.S. in Zurmi, G.G.S.S. in Moriki, Science Secondary School in Shinkafi, Science Secondary School in Dansadau, and Science Secondary School in Bukkuyum.

    The affected day schools are G.D.S.S. in Nasarawa Mailayi, G.D.S.S in Gusami, and G.D.S.S. in Gurbin Bore.

    In a similar vain, the Kano State Government on Tuesday ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state with immediate effect, Mr Sanusi Kiru, Commissioner for Education announced.

    Kirk, who gave the directive in a statement issued in Kano, urged parents to take their children from their various schools.

    “Parents whose children are in boarding schools are to also arrange and convey their children/wards back home from Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.

    “All inconveniences are regretted,” the commissioner said.

    No official reason was given for the directive, which came three days to the end of the third term.

    All schools in the state are expected to close on Friday, Dec. 18.

    Recall that recently, more than 300 students in a boarding school at Kankara Local Government Area of the neighbouring Katsina State were abducted.

    Also, the Kano State Government had expressed concerns over the sudden upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the State, where 85 persons recently tested positive in a space of 10 days.

  • BREAKING: El-rufai orders closure of all public, private schools in Kaduna

    BREAKING: El-rufai orders closure of all public, private schools in Kaduna

    Kaduna State government has asked all public and private schools to close on Wednesday 16th December, over what it described as “rising cases of Covid-19 infections” in the state.

    State commissioner of Education Dr Shehu Usman-Mohammed disclosed this in a public notice on Monday evening.

    According to the commissioner, the state ministry of health has further confirmed that new wave of Covid-19 has affected residents of he States who are between the age of 10 and 35 and forms a majority of the populace in the education sector in the state.

    The notice ordered the schools to conclude examinations before Tuesday 15th December 2020.

    “…. physical classes in the University and other Institutions of higher learning will not be held during the period of closure. Institutions can make arrangements for teaching and learning and other activities in line with their continuity and contingency plans…..”

    “…. In order to minimise the impact on teaching and learning, all schools will continue to plan lessons and where possible provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to so….” The notice added.