Education

COVID-19: FG releases guidelines as it begins plans for schools’ resumption

Published

5 years ago

July 13, 2020

Sahara Weekly

DELTA COMMUNITIES LAMENT GROSS NEGLECT BY FG, AGENCIES, OIL COMPANIES.

•Says schools’ resumption ‘ll be in phases

•Recommends distance learning, satellite centres, online teachings, learning, others

•Also recommends staggered classes, attendance of pupils, students

•To fumigate schools, restructure classes in line with social distancing guideline

•Train teachers on hygiene, other safety measures

THE Federal Government, Monday, released guidelines ahead of the resumption of schools at every level in the country, but it failed to disclose when schools will resume.

The guidelines for the safe reopening of schools and learning facilities after the COVID-19 pandemic outlined actions, measures, and requirements needed for the safe reopening of schools.

The safe distancing measures in the new guidelines require that in schools and other learning facilities, learners should be supported to stay two meters apart.

“However, there are exceptions where the two-meter rule cannot be reasonably applied and other risk mitigation strategies may be adopted. Examples include early years, younger primary school children, and those with additional needs,” the document read.

It added: “In these circumstances, risk assessments must be undertaken with the best interests of the learners, teachers, and other education personnel in mind.

“The scenarios require organising learners and children into small groups with consistent membership and compliance with the risk mitigation strategies. The membership of these groups should not change unless the NCDC public health guideline suggests otherwise.”

With the release of the document, the government will conduct a rapid assessment and determine the funding requirement for upgrading infrastructure and facilities (such as classrooms, furniture, WASH, and ICT facilities) to meet and sustain prescribed safe school reopening requirements.

The Federal Ministry of Education, in the guidelines it developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Health and health safety experts, said it was time for it to plan and address the eventual safe reopening of schools and learning facilities.

It will be recalled that at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, schools and all learning facilities were closed in order to safeguard the health and general wellbeing of children, youths, teachers, and educational personnel.

Notable among the items in the guidelines are recommendations for the review of existing policies, practices, and risk mitigation strategies in the use of schools for other purposes, such as distance learning centres, temporary shelters, isolation, quarantine and treatment centres, markets, voting centres, among others.

The government, while noting that, “COVID-19 pandemic poses an enormous risk to the health and safety of learners, teachers, parents, school administrators, education practitioners, and the wider community”, regretted that, “More than 1.5 billion children and young people globally have been affected by school and university closures.

“As a responsible government, it is also our duty to provide comprehensive guidelines for a safe and hitch-free reopening of schools and learning facilities. We do so knowing that the health, safety, and security of learners,

teachers, education personnel, and families are priorities,” the government said in a guideline signed by the Ministers of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

The guidelines dealt extensively on equitable plans for school reopening and operations.

The document focuses on attendance, social distancing, hygiene, cleaning, and non-pharmaceutical interventions for safe and healthy school activities and programmes.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, explained that the need to develop the guidelines became imperative, “Given that COVID-19 may be with us for a while.”

He said the guidelines also highlight the urgent need to maintain and improve upon distance-learning programmes.

“Our aim is to identify and strengthen programmes that will guarantee the recovery of learning gaps resulting from the pandemic,” Adamu said, adding that “The guidelines were drafted in close coordination with health, environmental, education, and school safety experts who were tasked with the responsibility of charting a pathway for safely reopening our schools and learning facilities for quality teaching and learning.”

The approach, according to him, ensured that stakeholders provided regular feedback throughout the process.

“The Federal Ministry of Education expresses gratitude to the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Education in Emergencies

Working Group in Nigeria (EiEWGN) for their support and contribution to the development of the guidelines.”

While noting that, “Collaboration and partnerships are also a key focus of this document”, Adamu “thank the various stakeholders who have pledged their support and assistance toward the implementation of the guidelines.”

The goal of the guideline, the government explained, was “to support and facilitate prompt and safe achievement of the objectives of the Nigeria Education Sector COVID-19 Response Strategy.

“The guidelines will assist federal, state, and local governments and their relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), families, communities, and authorities in decision-making, approach modelling, and operational planning for safely reopening schools, recovering pre-pandemic capacities, and institutionalising good safe school practices for the transformation of the education sector in the long term,” it further explained.

It added: “The availability of these guidelines and implementation of its recommendations will ensure that all stakeholders within the educational system have a sense of their rights and responsibilities.

“In addition, this will help learners, teachers, parents, guardians, communities, and the larger society to trust the process of reopening and be assured that learning will continue in a safe and protective environment.

“This will also support governments in education reforms and effective service delivery during and post COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria,” it stressed.

Related Topics:COVID-19 Education Featured

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Education

From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

Published

2 weeks ago

April 10, 2025

Sahara Weekly

From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life

In an inspiring twist of fate, Miss Isioma Nwosu, who once believed she had failed in life after missing out on her dream course, emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session with an astounding CGPA of 4.93.

Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry, captivated the audience with her moving valedictory speech at LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, held at the university’s main campus in Ojo.

“I thought I had failed in life,” she confessed, recounting the heartbreak of not gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery—her lifelong ambition.

After finishing secondary school as her set’s valedictorian in 2019, Nwosu faced a major blow: she scored just two points below the cut-off mark to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The setback forced her to retake UTME, a decision she said left her humiliated and defeated.

“A valedictorian writing UTME again? It was a bitter pill to swallow,” she recalled.

When she eventually reapplied to study Medicine and Surgery—this time at LASU—fate again dealt her a curveball. She was offered Biochemistry, a course she admitted she had “never heard of” until that moment.

“My heart broke a second time. I couldn’t embrace the course at first,” she said.

But through perseverance, and the encouragement of her lecturers and friends, Isioma not only embraced Biochemistry—she excelled beyond all expectations, finishing top of a graduating class of 11,917 students.

“Dreams Can Be Delayed, Not Denied”

In a stirring message to fellow graduates and aspiring students, Nwosu urged young people not to abandon their dreams in the face of rejection or redirection.

“Never be afraid of having big dreams. Your dreams are the seeds of greatness. You are resilient, capable, and prepared for the future,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with “friends of value, vision, and ambition.”

VC Urges Graduates to Shape Their Legacy

In her address, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised the class of 2023/2024, reminding them that they hold the pen to write the next chapter of their lives.

“You’ve demonstrated excellence in both character and learning. Now use that knowledge to drive meaningful change,” she charged.

The university awarded diplomas, degrees, and certificates across various disciplines, celebrating not just academic success but stories of resilience and transformation—none more powerful than that of Isioma Nwosu, who turned disappointment into distinction.

Education

NAPS Applauds Progress on Bill to Abolish HND-Bachelor’s Degree Dichotomy

Published

2 months ago

March 4, 2025

Sahara Weekly

NAPS National Convention: Polytechnic Students Call for Reforms, Elect New Leaders

NAPS Applauds Progress on Bill to Abolish HND-Bachelor’s Degree Dichotomy

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), under the leadership of Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, has expressed strong support for the bill seeking to abolish the longstanding disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and Bachelor’s degree graduates.

The bill, which recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, is seen as a crucial step toward promoting educational equality and ensuring that all Nigerian students receive fair recognition, regardless of their institution or degree type.

In a statement, NAPS reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for polytechnic students’ rights and called on lawmakers to expedite the process to ensure the bill becomes law.

“As an association, we have always championed the interests of polytechnic students. The passage of this bill will be a major milestone in our efforts to secure equal opportunities for all graduates,” Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide stated.

He emphasized that under his leadership, NAPS has made significant strides in pushing for reforms that benefit its members. He also urged all stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, and civil society organizations, to rally behind the bill to create a more inclusive and equitable education system.

NAPS reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting the bill’s passage and expressed optimism that it would pave the way for a brighter future for all Nigerian students.

Education

Meet Eniola Olushola, the newest MSc sociologist from the University of Oye Ekiti

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Meet Eniola Olushola, the newest MSc sociologist from the University of Oye Ekiti

~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

Eniola Olushola’s career journey demonstrates the impact of ongoing education and deliberate self-improvement in meeting the constantly changing requirements of the modern industry

Eniola has consistently proven his ability to deliver innovative solutions and drive impactful change through a unique blend of humanitarian expertise and executive leadership training

Eniola Olushola began his academic pursuits with a bachelor’s degree from a prestigious university in Nigeria and later earned a master’s degree in sociology from the Federal University of Oye, Ekiti, driven by a growing interest in sustainability and environmental stewardship

The accomplishment bolstered his expertise in addressing multifaceted humanitarian and environmental issues within industrial settings, firmly establishing him as a leading authority in his field of expertise

Eniola Olushola has demonstrated a consistent commitment to self-advancement, recognizing the essential function of leadership in navigating the complexities of today’s fast-paced business landscape and humanitarian issues, and has acquired the necessary expertise to effectively cater to the changing needs in Nigeria and Africa

Additionally, his outstanding leadership is unmatched and his contribution to society is significantly substantial to be overlooked

Eniola Olushola has emerged as a leader with a deep understanding of African resourcefulness needs and the ability to drive innovation, foster growth, and lead with purpose through his transformative experiences in a highly competitive global environment

Eniola Olushola’s relentless pursuit of education demonstrates his dedication to amplifying his positive influence on our society. Through ongoing upskilling, he has empowered himself to address evolving business needs with ease

His acumen in top-tier programs reflects his commitment to balancing academic rigor with practical leadership

Eniola Olushola has achieved something remarkable at the academy and really deserves big congratulations.

Oluwaseun Fabiyi a seasoned journalist writes from Lagos.