Schools in Abia prepare for August resumption

Primary and Secondary schools in Abia state reopened Tuesday, August 4, 2020, with head and other teachers, to commence a dry run for the resumption of academic activities on August 10, 2020.

The teachers are expected to attend school from thence till the conclusion of examinations for exit classes in both primary and secondary schools.

Education stakeholders in Abia state after its meeting on July 30, 2020, recommended reopening of primary and secondary schools in the state on August 10, 2020, to enable exit students to take part in local and international examinations.

Consequently, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, directed that primary and secondary schools in the state should reopen on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, to ensure that teachers, relevant education, and health authorities, put in place necessary measures prior to the resumption of full academic activities.

John Okiyi Kalu, state’s commissioner for Information, in a press statement, to roll out the guideline for the resumption of academic activities in the state, stated that state’s ministry of health, in partnership with the ministry of education, would commence sample collection and testing for COViD-19, of all headteachers, teachers and all those expected to be part of the management of the relevant examinations in public and private schools.

He noted that only those, who test negative to the virus would be expected to continue attending classes or interacting with students and others involved in the management of the examinations.

According to the statement, headteachers and others are expected to monitor the clearing, cleaning and fumigation exercises in the various schools and send reports, through the relevant education secretaries in the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state, to the Commissioner for Education latest by 10 am on August 2020.

He directed that headteachers should provide handwashing stations in their various schools as well as ensure that sick bays and isolation areas are readied prior to the resumption of students.

“The ministry of education is to provide a detailed readiness evaluation report covering all primary and secondary schools in the State to the Governor for review.

“State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, is expected to deliver pocket and table hand sanitizers, face masks and digital thermometers, provided by the state government to all public schools in the state for free distribution to students, teachers, and examination supervisors”.

The statement also stated that the Ministry of Health is expected to conclude the teaching and training of all teachers on COVID-19 protocols, as well as set up relevant monitoring teams that will ensure full compliance.

It also stated that the Governor has directed that all private primary and secondary schools in the state ensure compliance with the resumption regulations or risk immediate closure.