Federal Government has rolled out conditions schools and learning institutions in the country must meet before reopening.
The conditions are contained in a 36-page document titled ‘Guidelines for schools and learning facilities reopening after COVID-19 pandemic closure’.
It was submitted to the Senate by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu on Tuesday.
The Minister described the conditions as key strategies for implementing safe, efficient, and equitable plans for school reopening and operations.
He noted;
Given that COVID-19 may be with us for a while, the guidelines also highlight the urgent need to maintain and improve upon distance learning programmes.
Adamu added the guidelines were drafted in close coordination with health, environmental, education, and school safety experts who were tasked with the responsibility of charting a pathway for safely reopening schools and learning facilities for quality teaching and learning.
The document noted that each school is required to create temporary isolation spaces and fully-equipped clinics before reopening.
They have also been mandated to;
Ensure establishment of a School COVID-19 Referral System including protocols and procedures to take if learners, teachers, administrators and other education personnel become unwell while in schools.
The Federal Government mandated that;
Any state wishing to reopen schools to hold adequate consultations with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the parents.
The guidelines required proprietors to construct additional structures and employ more teachers to ensure that they accommodate their students by adhering to the two-metre spacing system in classrooms.
Proprietors have been asked to seek grants to procure soaps and buckets, ensure regular safe water supply, ensure a constant supply of learning and instructional materials, and pay salaries on time.
The document noted that schools are also to establish and adequately equip dispensaries and clinics as appropriate.
