The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD) on Sunday raised fears over the planned resumption of tertiary and other educational institutions across the country without adequate safety measures.
NDD raised the alarm in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Tajudeen Alabede, and its Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Wasi B. Moshood made available to journalists in Ibadan.
The group said that “Nigeria has witnessed a devastating impact of the second wave of COVID-19, including the death of some high-profile citizens in the past few weeks.” hence the need for adequate safety measures before the schools be allowed to reopen.
“NDD is therefore, alarmed by the plans by educational institutions across the country to resume academic activities without adequate safety measures. It is discomforting that many Governments have not gone beyond merely issuing statements encouraging schools to observe COVID-19 protocols.
“In this situation, the hapless students, pupils and staff are literally left to their fate as adequate safety measures are not put in place by the Federal and State Governments. NDD considers this inappropriate as the primary duty of any Government is the security and wellbeing of the citizens.”
“It is an irony that, while the plan for schools to resume is moving at a high speed, the same Governments are vigorously campaigning against large gatherings. That this is taking place against the background of insecurity across the country makes it all the more indefensible.”
Continuing it said, “what NDD expects is for the Government at all levels to regard COVID-19 as a national emergency which would demand that affected sectors are provided with all the necessary support that they need to cope with the impact of the pandemic. “
” In the minimum, Government should consider providing facilities for virtual classes, deploying health and security personnel to schools to handle emergencies, providing hand sanitisers and masks to students and staff, providing testing facilities for compulsory testing of all students and staff and setting up isolation centres in all Local Governments. Besides, there should have been a well-coordinated plan by the Federal and State Governments about phased resumption in a way that would prevent overcrowding in the institutions”.
