Level of preparation to determine schools resumption in Abia

TRACKING ___The Abia State Government has declared that resumption of private and public primary and secondary schools would depend on the level of preparedness and adherence to government’s directives on COVID-19 safety measures by teachers, students and school authorities.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had on Monday directed teachers and students in exit classes to report yesterday, August 4, 2020, for clean up and fumigation of their premises and test for COVID-19 at designated centres closest to them.

But when The Guardian visited some schools within Umuahia yesterday, few teachers were present, but there was no cleaning and fumigation of school compounds.

At the School Road Primary School in Umuahia Urban, teachers of Umuahia North Council Area held a meeting under the aegis of Head Teachers Association (HTA).

Chairman of the association, Mrs. Gloria Mgbeahuruike, said the meeting dwelled on government’s directives on resumption of full classes on Monday, August 10, 2020, adding, “That is what we will do in advance before the pupils and students report for classes.”

She said they earlier met with the Education Secretary of the Local Government Area, Clement Onyeoziri, Transition Chairman of the Council, Lucky Akabuike, NUT Chairman, Nwosu Udo and traditional rulers on the resumption of schools.

Udo urged government to provide teachers COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPEs) and direct that they should be tested for the pandemic in their schools and not at designated centres where they would go in large numbers.

On his part, Onyeoziri said those who attended the meeting resolved to work towards the smooth reopening of schools and successful teaching and learning after resumption.

Governor Ikpeazu had commenced fumigation and decontamination of schools with a call on all stakeholders to continue to show total commitment in advancing the cause of education in the state and ensure that the reopening of schools as announced was seamless.

Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, who represented Ikpeazu, disclosed that the state government had provided decontamination and fumigation materials including hand-sanitisers, digital thermometers and face masks for the pupils and students.