Prof. Kate Omenugha, Anambra Commissioner for Basic Education has commended Teachers and Education administrators across the state for complying with the Jan. 18 resumption directives without their students.
Omenugha said this in an interview with Newsmen on Tuesday in Awka
Newsmen reports that the commissioner had directed that all Public, Private and Mission Schools resume 2020/2021 academic session across the state without their pupils and students on Jan. 18.
The commissioner directed teachers and education administrator’s in all basic schools in the state to use two weeks to put in place all COVID-19 protocols before the Feb. 1 resumption date for pupils and students in the state.
She said that the total compliance by the teachers and education administrators in all schools across the state had encouraged the ministry and proved the level of synergy between the state and all school operators in the state.
Omenugha urged all school operators to ensure that no child, visitor or teacher is allowed into the school compound without wearing face masks and directed that sick-bays in all schools should be upgraded to standard.
She directed that regular temperature checks of all entrants into the school compound was conducted and COVID-19 protocols ready before students resumed as defaulting schools would be sanctioned.
“ The sanction could include closure of the school, we appeal for maximum cooperation from all concerned to assist the ministry to keep Coronavirus away from schools,” she said.
Mr Jovita Arazu, Principal, Igwebuike Grammar School Awka, told Newsmen that the management of the school complied with government directives to ensure a healthy environment before the resumption of students.
Arazu said that with the aid of the school management that environmental clean up and COVID-19 measures would be in place before the students resume.
“We have planned for 1,300 students, we have buckets, soap, bottles of sanitiser and other necessary items to keep them safe while in school.
“My worry now is, will all our students come back because most of the students had gone on apprenticeship,” he said.
Mrs Nwaogo Ifebi, Principal Obosi Community Secondary School in Idemili North Local Government Area, said that the school complied with all the safety protocols.
Ifebi said that the Coronavirus pandemic was not a case to play with, hence the need to ensure the safety of all students.
“ We are hopeful that our students will return to school in full after nine months out of school, we have no less than 700 students.
Mrs Chinelo Obasi, the Proprietor of ViVi Kids Nursery and Primary School, said that the government’s decision was commendable, it showed that they cared for the wellbeing of pupils and students in the state.
Obasi said early directive would afford the school administrators enough time to put all required safety measures in place for pupils and students before resumption.