By AbdulRaheem Aodu
Kaduna state Governor Nasir el-Rufai has budgeted N1.5 billion for school repairs in Kaduna state, as SSS2, JSS2 and primary six students kick-off school resumption in the state, even as SSS3 students continue their ongoing NECO examinations.
Kaduna state Commissioner for Education, Hon. Shehu Usman Mohammed, said the students and their teachers were to strictly follow Covid-19 protocols; using their face masks, coming to school with potable hand sanitisers, and ensuring that social distancing is followed while in school.
Tertiary, secondary and primary schools students were sent back home in March 2020 in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria, which led to over three months lockdown in the state.
The school resumption follows gradual easing of the lockdown across all sectors of the state.
Addressing journalists at the NUJ Kaduna state Council Secretariat, Hon. Shehu said 125 schools have been destroyed by rainstorm in the state, hence the need for repairs to ensure seamless learning.
He noted that government urges mixture of online and physical learning for tertiary students, while primary and post primary schools are to inculcate morning and afternoon shifts to give room for adequate social distancing.
According to the Commissioner, Kaduna state government is in discussion with proprietors of private schools to see how the state government can assist in easing the financial impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on the schools especially the teachers and other staff.
He added that during the last WAEC examination two students tested positive for Covid-19 and they were isolated in a quarters prepared for that.
“From Monday of next week, 19th October 2020, SSS2 students JSS2 students and primary six pupils will resume back to school to write their promotional examinations and for primary six pupils to write their exit exams. We have made adequate arrangements and we will monitor them to see if the arrangements are adequate so that we can invite the next class back to school.
“We expect every school to have infrared thermometer or wall mounted thermometer that students can pass under it to measure their temperature. Wash hand points, face masks, parents should provide their children with potable hand sanitisers, we are also ensuring social distance. No classroom should have more than 20 students.
“We want a blend of physical and online learning at the tertiary level, while secondary and primary schools will run shift of 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm. Parents should arrange safe transportation for their children to reduce community transmission. There would be a standing monitoring committee comprising SBMC, staff, members of community, journalists and students.”
The Commissioner said a meeting will soon be convened with the bureau for interfaith, teachers and owners of Islamiyya, Qur’anic school and tsangaya to see how they can be allowed to commence learning.
