The House of Representatives has opposed the Federal Government’s announcement of January 18 as the date for resumption of schools across the country.
The lawmakers also demanded an extension of resumption for at least three months, where the necessary COVID-19 protocols have not been put in place.
This was contained in a statement titled, “School resumption: Are we truly prepared?” signed by Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
“The Committee on Basic Education and Services, House of Representatives, has received with concern the decision of the Federal Government to reopen schools on January 18, 2021.
“We are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under, schools were closed; but now that it hovers well above 1,000 infections daily, schools are being reopened. Why are we rushing to reopen schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure our children?” the statement queried.
Ihonvbere later told journalists that the Committee on Basic Education and Services was not consulted before the resumption date was announced.
This ran contrary to the Ministry of Education’s claim that all critical stakeholders were consulted before the announcement of the date.
Ihonvbere said it was lamentable that the committee was sidelined in arriving at such an important decision where its input could have been very valuable.
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