Education: FG provides update on re-opening of schools amid Coronavirus

The Federal Government has proposed that all schools around the country stay closed as part of measures to combat the outbreak of coronavirus. Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, echoed this in a circular signed by Sonny Echono, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education. He cautioned against the resumption of schools at all levels, stressing that they remained closed.

In the circular entitled: “Management of Coronavirus Pandemic,” the Minister urged Nigerians to ignore fake news making the rounds on resumption of schools.

The circular reads: “Further to our earlier circular, FME/PSE/HE/1041/C 1/Vol.1/137 of 19th March, 2020, this is to confirm that all schools shall remain closed as we monitor developments on the containment of COVID-19.

This is without prejudice to officers on essential services and other operational exigencies as may be determined by the chief executive of each institution.

All chief executives and other stakeholders are to ignore ‘fake news’ on the subject matter in the social media as the situation is under constant review and any decision on the resumption shall be conveyed through the appropriate channels.

The Education Ministry sent the circular to the Executive Secretaries, National Universities Commission, NUC; National Board for Technical Education, NBTE; National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, and the Director, Basic and Secondary Education, BSE.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, federal government had placed a ban on social gathering. The directive had led to the closure of schools across the country.