FG gives six conditions for varsities, others to reopen
The Federal Government on Tuesday, listed six conditions for schools to fulfill before reopening in order to protect pupils and students against Coronavirus Disease(COVID-19).
It also asked all heads of schools to start working on how to put the measures in place ahead of resumption of classes.
The government, among other conditions is demanding decontamination of all schools and new class sizes, which will accommodate social and physical distancing.
It assured parents of final year secondary school students that it was discussing with the National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) on ways of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic challenge.
However, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) released cut-off marks for admission into universities, polytechnics , colleges of education and other institutions.
The cut-off marks are minimum of 160(university); 120(polytechnic); 100(College of Education) and monotechnics / others (100+).
Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of State for Education announced the conditions for the reopening of schools in Abuja at the 2020 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB).
“The Presidential Task Force is working assiduously with facts and figures that mirror the reality of our current situation and circumstance.
”While we Iook forward to easing the Iockdown which will ultimately lead to re-opening of our campuses, I urge all the Heads of Institutions not to wait till the announcement on reopening before putting in place all necessary measures in compliance with the protocols and advisories of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“All Institutions must have (1) Hand-washing facilities, (2) Body temperature checks (3) Body disinfectants at all entering points to their major facilities including the gates, hostels, classes, offices, etc. (4) The whole premises of each institution must be decontaminated and (5) All efforts must be geared toward maintenance of the highest level of hygiene (6) Ensure Social] Physical Distancing in class sizes and meeting spaces.
“Let me seize this opportunity to commend institutions that responded promptly with different innovations, including the manufacturing of some of the facilities that are required to attend to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“I am elated with the efforts that led to the production of Ventilator, Body Disinfectant, Hand Washing and Liquid Dispensers, Body Temperature Gauges, and many more. These are manifestations of the abundance of talents in the country and the result of research.”
The Minister pleaded with parents to bear the continued closure of schools with the government.
On the fate of students, who were due for Senior School Certificate Examination in May and June, the Minister said the government was in talks with examination bodies.
“The holding of this Policy Meeting signifies the commencement of admission to the Nation’s Tertiary Institutions, mindful of the fact that majority of the applicants are still waiting to sit for their qualifying examinations, the Senior School Certificate Examination by National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC).
“While the Presidential Task Force is working towards the easing of more restrictions, the Federal Ministry of Education is equally discussing with the examination bodies on ways and means of responding to the challenge”, he said.
