The Federal government has advised all institutions to obey and adhere to the guidelines for the reopening of schools.
Adamu Adamu, minister of education, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday.
He advised all institutions to adhere to the guidelines for the reopening of schools, as earlier announced by the presidential task force.
He said all unity schools should open by October 12 “while states and private schools will determine their own modalities of reopening.”
The minister said the decision to reopen the schools was because the COVID-19 infection figure is declining.
“We have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector including the Association of Private Schools (NAPPS), Provosts of Colleges of Education, Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice-Chancellors of Universities, State Governors, Commissioners of Education and other development partners on the matter and secured their support and cooperation,” he said.
He said adequate sanctions await any school owner that does not comply with the safety guidelines which may result in an outbreak of coronavirus in the school.
He advised schools to be vigilant, strict and rigid in the implementation of COVID-19 protocols for the safety of the children, insisting that nothing should be taken for granted.
“Safe distancing procedures should be regularly practised. Additionally, schools should develop and display simple context-specific reference protocols on the day to day actions to be operated in each school,” he said.
He also advised schools to make water and sanitation facilities available across the schools.
Also, many states including Lagos, Oyo, Kano and Enugu have since announced dates for the reopening of schools in their domains.