Following the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases across the country, the federal government has announced that all schools across levels remain closed while warning education authorities across education levels to disregard the trending fake news that there has been an order to reopen schools.
Environment Minister
The government disclosed this in a circular dated Friday, May 8 2020, and sent to 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).
The ministry assured that the coronavirus situation is under constant review and any decision on the resumption shall be made known appropriately.
“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,” part of the memo read.
Also, the Minister of Environment Muhammad Mahmood on Monday, May 4 at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja disclosed that schools would be disinfected before they reopen. The minister said the Ministry of Environment is liaising with the Federal Ministry of Education to get the data of schools nationwide in order to carry out the exercise.
