Coronavirus: Nigerian government to introduce shift classes, as schools set to reopen

The Nigerian Government may now start introduction of shift classes for students in schools, as plan is said to be underway for the re-opening of institutions across the country in view of the coronavirus pandemic, which has destabilized academic activities

Penpushing reports that, in view of this government is considering morning and afternoon classes, just as the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on coronavirus said guidelines for the reopening of schools across the country will soon be release.

The Chairman was not specific on when the guideline will be made available, but sources informed that schools will resume in phases with a batch resuming before the other, while the government is also considering morning and afternoon classes.

Penpushing further reports that, Mustapha said the country was worried with the challenge of millions of out-of-school children before the coronavirus pandemic, emphasizing that, this ugly development has been compounded by the compelling need for closure of schools as part of the measures to limit the spread of the virus.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation was faced with the challenge of out-of-school children. This has now been compounded by the compelling need for closure of schools as part of the measures to limit the spread of the virus.

“The PTF has been deliberating on this situation and wish to inform Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Education will roll out measures to be put in place for safe re-opening of our schools,” he said.

Penpushing also reports that, in another development, Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba shortly after the briefing posited that, the country is not ready to take the risk of reopening schools.

The Minister explained that, World Health Organisation(WHO) will not be left out if such decision on reopening of the schools is to be effected , adding that it was important to get opinion of the experts before announcing and school resumption dates

“Until we are sure that our children can go to school and return safely without taking COVID-19 home, we are not ready to take the risk of opening schools”, the Education Minister declared, but admitted that plans are in place to ensure children return to schools in phases.

Penpushing reports that, Nwajiuba disclosed that, the  plan includes physical and social distancing in schools as well as ensuring proper sanitation and hygiene is maintained, explaining that the plan entails adopting a two-shift system and allowing those who will write exams to return earlier than others.

“We may have classes in the morning and classes in the afternoon so that we will have the whole of the infrastructure divided. I am not sure we will have classes at night. But we can do with morning and afternoon for now,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Minister encouraged state governments and owners of private schools to plan ahead on how to ensure maximum safety for students when the resumption plan is unveiled.