SCHOOLS RESUMPTION: 14 SEPT 2020 AS OFFICIAL RESUMPTION DATE FOR SCHOOL REOPENING

Following the recents announcement by Borno State Government that educational institutions at all levels across the state will reopen on September 14, 2020 following the readiness and preparedness of educational institute to resume.

The State’s Commissioner for Education, made the pronouncement at a press briefing on Tuesday in Maiduguri metropolitan.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Borno state government came to the conclusion after several of discussion with the stakeholders and assessment of both private and public schools in the state to determine their level of preparedness and readiness safety for reopening of schools following a compulsory shut-down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the directive issued by His Excellency, Gov. Baba Gana Umara Zulum, who directed the closure of all schools from primary levels upto tertiary institutions in the state on 23rd March, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We recall that “Federal Ministry of Education, has give the directives for the reopening of exiting classes from Primary 6, JSS3 and SS3 in all states on August 10, 2020, resume most especially the SS3 classes to prepare and write the WAEC examination.

”Therefore, upon further review, having had series of meetings with stakeholders, His Excellency has directed that all schools in Borno State should fully reopen and resume on September 14, 2020, he said.

Furthermore the Commissioner emphasized that the state government came to the resolution to reopen its educational institutions following a careful assessment of the present state of affairs.

For the higher institutions, I have personally placed direct telephone calls to the heads of all state’s tertiary institutions and I had discussions with them to ascertain their level of preparedness. It appears that all of them are fully ready for schools’ reopening.

”We have equally asked them to get in touch with the ministry should there be any further requirements in order for them to make their institutions safe for the benefit of students and staff”.

He added by saying ”so far we have not recorded any negative report as far as COVID-19 pandemic is concerned.

”Hence, His Excellency show high interest for every school to resume for fully academic activities.

"Furthermore the Commissioner encourage that all figureheads and authorities of educational institutions to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines which had been clearly set out by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

”The ministry will review the state’s Academic Calendar appropriately to determine on the new development, and the details worked out and will be released to the stakeholders in due time before resumption date.

”However, we enjoin that all education stakeholders and Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Borno State to liaise with us at the ministry for further clarification.

”Moreso, the State Government will stop at nothing to ensure that our learners are kept in good condition as far as COVID-19 pandemic and indeed other diseases or health issues are concerned”, he said.

He encourage the public to remain proactive in the fight against COVID-19 by adhering strictly to the PTF guidelines protocols of personal hygiene and Corona Virus preventive measures.