The Kaduna state government has approved the reopening of schools for SS II, JSS II, and Primary 6 students. The resumption of academic activities will commence from Sunday, 18th for boarding students and Monday, 19th October 2020 for day students.
In a statement by the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Shehu Usman Mohammad, administrators of public and private schools are to adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols stated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the state COVID-19 Taskforce as they will be held accountable for it.
It maintained that all higher institutions in the state are expected to reopen based on the approved timetable submitted to the Ministry, adding that higher institutions that are yet to approach the ministry with their plan for reopening are expected to do as soon as possible.
The statement further admonished parents and guardians to provide their children and wards with sanitary materials to help curtail the spread of the virus and advised school administrators to adopt the blended learning system.
It said schools would be on 2 shifts to enable them to comply with COVID-19 guidelines as the first shift will be from 08:00 am – 12:00 pm while the second shift will be from 01:00 pm – 05:00 pm.
Furthermore, classes must have a size of not more than 20 students per class with 1.5m – 2.0m physical distancing and a COVID-19 team comprising of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMC), Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Community representatives, student and teacher representatives that will monitor compliance of the laid down safety protocols.
For classes yet to be granted approval for resumption, the statement noted that the dates will be announced in due course while the government will continue the e-learning programme using Google classrooms, radio, television stations and other online applications until full normalcy is returned to the academic environment.
