Northern states may reopen schools before October 30 — Commissioner

The Commissioners of Education in the 19 Northern States, say they may reopen schools before October 30, but subject to approval of their respective state governors.

The commissioners made this known in a communique issued in Kaduna on Sunday, at the end of a two-day meeting on student exchange programme, school reopening and other matters held in Abuja.

The communique was signed by Dr Shehu Makarfi, Commissioner of Education, Kaduna State, who is also the Chairman of the northern states School Exchange Programme (SEP).

The meeting was attended by commissioners of 10 of the 19 northern states namely, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, Plateau, Niger, Kogi Gombe, Taraba, Nassarawa and Plateau, while others sent their apologies.

“We have agreed to reopen schools as soon as possible, hopefully before Oct. 30, fully or in phases, but subject to the approval of our respective governors.

“Some states have already reopened fully while others opened partially since Sept.  14, so we are looking at the possibilities of reopening as soon as we get approvals.

“We therefore urge state governments, development partners, parents and relevant stakeholders to combine efforts in the provision of COVID-19 prevention facilities in schools to fast track reopening.

“The Federal Government should equally support states to meet the COVID-19 requirements for school reopening, as it did to other sectors,” they said.

The commissioners noted the challenge of communications during the COVID-19 period between the states’ Ministries of Education and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME).

They recommended the establishment of an effective communication channel between the FME and the state commissioners of education, on policy issues, development in the sector, and particularly plans on schools reopening.

The commissioners observed that most of the SEP schools were overpopulated and directed that affected states should adhere to the numbers stipulated in the guidelines establishing the programme.

According to them, decongesting the schools will ensure quality teaching and learning.

“Commissioners should intensify monitoring of SEP and other schools to improve the education delivery system in their respective states.

“States should equally invest in building the administrative capacities of principals and teachers by organising workshops and supporting school administrators and teachers to attend courses in institutes of education and public administration.

“Similarly, Information and Communication Technology should also be included in school administration to equip school principals and teachers with relevant skills to deliver quality education,” they stated.

The commissioners also resolved to engage the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in developing the needed strategies for integrating children of all almajiri schools into the formal education system.

They agreed to intensify efforts to gain the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure success of the integration process. (NAN)