‘Do not reopen schools now’ ASUU reveals condition for safe reopening of universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the federal government only reopen schools when the proper COVID-19 precautionary guidelines have been put in place in academic institutions.

The University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU in a statement on Sunday, September 6, warned that reopening schools, especially universities without proper COVID-19 safety measures could pose some health risks.

ASUU has said there is no need for parents to jubilate at the news of the possible reopening of schools.

The chairman of the chapter, Prof Ayo Akinwole said tertiary institutions are overcrowded, noting that many public schools are simply not social-distancing compliant.

He said there was no need for parents to jubilate at the news of the possible reopening of schools because most facilities in public universities take more than their capacity. Akinwole stated that reopening schools without meeting Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines will expose the lives of the children of the masses to the possibility of contracting COVID-19.

Meanwhile, primary school teachers in Abuja have been directed not to resume classes anytime schools are reopened for academic activities. The directive was given by the Abuja chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), on Saturday, September 5.

The chairman of the chapter, Comrade Stephen Knabayi said the union gave the directive following the failure of the area council chairmen to pay the minimum wage of the teachers.

In another news, days after the announcement of the resumption date for all schools in Lagos state, the Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) unit of the state ministry of education has warned the public to disregard a resumption time table flying around on the social media.