School reopening: Oyo begins training of teachers, distributes facemasks

Ahead of the planned reopening of schools, the Oyo State Government has, on Monday, commenced training for teachers from all Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities.

The government had asked students in terminal classes including Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3) to resume school on June 29.

The training, according to the government is to prepare the teachers on the basic procedures for handling Covid-19 in schools.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Oyo SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran, said the training on ‘Reopening of Schools’ is part of the State government’s pre-opening mandate.

He noted that the training is targeted at getting participants prepared ahead of any possible identification of Coronavirus case, with a view to ensure that teachers and pupils remain safe while in school.

Adeniran stated, “The workshop is expected to equip participants with necessary knowledge on Covid-19 and how to manage it during these trying times among pupils. Let me add that the workshop has representation from each zone in the State and is aimed at ensuring the safety of children and teachers in the State.”

“Asking only Pry 6 pupils to return to school is strategic. Each school is spacious enough to contain all Primary 6 pupils in the State. So, there is actually no cause for alarm,” he explained.

The Executive Chairman said OyoSUBEB would look into constituting an Advisory Board to complement the efforts of the State government at combating Covid-19, while every school has been mandated to adhere to all precautionary measures during this period.

Dr. Adeniran stated that with the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic and the need for pupils to return to schools, it was imperative for the State Government to train teachers, who would be in regular touch with the pupils, on how to interact while they also ensure their safety.

He disclosed that the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, had deployed trainers to train teachers who would in turn train their colleagues on precautionary measures and how to manage each pupil after the long stay-at-home.

Adeniran revealed, “The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board has distributed facemasks to all non-teaching and teaching staff across all Local Government Universal Basic Education Authority in the State.”

He added that the precautionary measures taken by the Board were to prepare every staff member for the task ahead, as well as ensure that each school would provide wash hand basins and alcohol-based hand sanitizers for the use of both students and staff.  (VON)