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

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

•Says schools’ resumption ‘ll be in phases

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

•Also recommends staggered classes, attendance of pupils, students

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•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.

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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.

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Education

JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

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JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

 

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Sahara Weekly Reports That The Federal Government has reportedly shut down Lead British School following the bully of a student named Namitira in the Abuja-based institution.

 

 

 

JUST IN: Government Shuts Down Lead British School Over Student’s Bully (VIDEO)

 

 

 

 

Two videos showing the student reportedly named Namtira being manhandled went viral on social media on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In one of the videos, the victim was seen being slapped repeatedly by another female student while asking “Who broke my heart?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In another video, the victim was seen sitting next to a male classmate who was heard saying “I spoilt her relationship”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furthermore, the minister of women affairs has visited the school to address the situation. In a follow up video recorded this morning, the culprit was seen being slapped by a woman who is said to be the victim’s aunty.

 

 

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NAUB: MR PRESIDENT, WHO ARE THOSE PLANNING TO KILL THE ONLY FEDERAL UNIVERSITY THAT DOES NOT GO ON STRIKE? By Femi Oyewale

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Why the merger of NAUB with NDA cannot work, the hard facts to consider'

NAUB: MR PRESIDENT, WHO ARE THOSE PLANNING TO KILL THE ONLY FEDERAL UNIVERSITY THAT DOES NOT GO ON STRIKE? By Femi Oyewale

 

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Sahara Weekly Reveals That Higher education in Nigeria, quite frankly, is facing immense challenges including but not limited to poor infrastructure, unrealistic academic calendars resulting in extra years against stipulated durations, lack of teaching equipment, social menace, poor funding, amongst others.

 

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NAUB: MR PRESIDENT, WHO ARE THOSE PLANNING TO KILL THE ONLY FEDERAL UNIVERSITY THAT DOES NOT GO ON STRIKE? By Femi Oyewale

 

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Interestingly, Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB) is quite unique from other federal universities in the sense that since inception, there has not been any issue of strike, cultism, protest, or anti-social conduct.

 

Rather, the university is reputed for its excellent condition of learning environment.

 

This was aptly covered by the Governor of Borno State, H.E Professor Babagana Umara Zulum through his deputy during the maiden edition of the convocation ceremony of NAUB on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at the University’s main campus ( note not temporary campus within five years of existence) in Biu, Borno State.

 

 

The Borno State governor said he was physically present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the foundation laying stone of NAUB five years ago, and he is impressed by what he has seen adding that it must take military precision and focus to put in a full-fledged and functional university on a barren land in such a short period.

 

 

The Governor further thanked the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, the traditional rulers, scholars and academics philanthropist, industrialists, associates and men and women of goodwill from within and outside Borno State for the selfless service of gradually re-modelling the future of Borno State in particular and Nigeria in general and for putting Borno State on the path of further greatness through the Nigerian Army university, Biu.

 

Why then do we plan to abort such a great independent institution of learning known as a barrier breaker and line crosser by merging it with NDA whose missions and visions are not in tandem with each other .

 

Why cut short the dreams of such noble ideas via politics?

 

Are there those who do not want a stable educational system in Nigeria?

Are there external forces or their agents at home trying to destroy a good foundation for a stable educational system in Nigeria?

 

Is NAUB in competition with the private universities?

Are there big shots who benefit from a chaotic educational system in Nigeria?

 

Are there some subterranean forces working within the system to achieve the Boko Haram objective that “education is sin”?

The words of Governor Zulum rings a wise bell when he said that Boko Haram insurgents have achieved their objectives if the university is scrapped.

“Therefore, we appeal to Mr. President to look into this issue so that the Army University Biu would remain a university… because of the importance of education in this part of the country, where Boko Haram is saying that education is forbidden. And I think that by allowing this Army university to be scrapped, they might have achieved one or two of their objectives,” he said.

 

The governor noted that, for over a decade, Borno State has been facing a serious crisis that has denied many children access to education.

“Therefore, this university is very important to not only the people of Borno State but our neighbouring states,” he said.

 

Look at the Western countries that started with military polytechnics that propelled revolution in military equipment development.

 

Many of these developed countries collaborated jointly through civil-military research.

The Swedish Defence University established like NAUB is Sweden’s leading resource in, and first choice for, education, training and research in the management of crisis, war and periods of tension in the leadership of both civil and military agencies. The Swedish Defence University is an accredited institution for academic education for military and civilian students and researchers where different experiences, approaches, and traditions come together. It has become a hub for both national and international students.

 

It might shock you to know that American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). APUS is wholly owned by American Public Education, Inc., a publicly traded private-sector corporation that offers associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees, in addition to dual degrees, certificate programs and learning tracks.

 

During my NYSC, I served in the Nigerian Army School of Education (NASE), Ilorin, which is a renowned military institution focused on providing high-quality education and training for Nigerian Army personnel and civilians. So why the proposed merger of NAUB?

 

Interestingly, the Nigerian Army University Biu provides such a platform for the Nigerian military towards technological innovation, research, and development in varied fields for national defence and security breakthroughs like many modern nations. In fact, instead of downgrading the Nigerian Army University, many more Army universities should be established in Nigeria. That is the way out for a caricature type of educational system that has failed to have stability over the years.

 

Who is not interested in seeing that a federal university graduates its students within the regular course time frame?

 

Must programmes of all federal universities be easily disrupted. A course of 4 or 5 years ends up taking over 6 to 7 years to complete. The worst part is that many universities end up in a crash programme to be able to cover up for the lost times. The terrible damage to these universities’ products is the very low standard of graduates.

 

Who wants the Nigerian educational system to collapse completely? These are rhetorical questions the amiable president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all stakeholders should ask those proposing the merger to answer us publicly, else should let the matter die forever in the abyss of hasty decision.

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Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students By Elvis Omoregie

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Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students By Elvis Omoregie

Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students

By Elvis Omoregie

 

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The Edo State University, Uzairue have matriculated 1,245 students who met the condition for admission criteria for the 2023/2024 academic session.

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Edo State University Uzairue Matriculates 1,245 Students

By Elvis Omoregie

 

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Speaking during the 9th matriculation ceremony of the institution at Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government of Edo state, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, charged the newly admitted students to adhere to the university’s regulations and contribute responsibly to the institution.

“Dear Matriculants, approach your studies with dedication and make full use of the state-of-the-art technological equipment and ICT facilities available for your academic advancement. Embark on a studious academic journey, making the serene environment of Edo State University Uzairue your conducive home for success.’

He said the University, in partnership with the Edo State Government, is devoted to consistently providing world class teaching and research facilities.

sharing the remarkable progress the institution has achieved over the past eight years, said its humble beginnings with three Faculties and Eight programs, Edo State University Uzairue has grown to encompass nine faculties with over 30 undergraduate programmes”.

He added that all the programmes offered at the institution have been accredited and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other the relevant professional bodies.

Aluyor said the College of Post Graduate Studies of the institution stands out for its successful programs, encompassing PGD, Masters, MBA, MPA, Mphil, and Ph.D. across different Faculties.

“Having graduated five sets of students, our accreditation processes have consistently yielded impressive grades, With the lowest recorded score being 78.5 per cent’

He explained that through collaborative partnerships with international Universities such as Worcester State University (USA) and the University of Sunderland (UK), students benefit from valuable opportunities to engage in exchange programs.

“The establishment of the institution Teaching Hospital with the support of the State Government, marks a significant stride, enhancing our facilities for medical students’ training.

Aluyor noted that the institution runs an uninterrupted academic calendar leading to its recognition as the best University in the South-South geo-political zone, 2nd Best State University in the country and 10th Best University in Nigeria by the National University Commission (NUC) System Ranking 2022.

“Edo State University is the 1st in West Africa to adopt the CANVAS Learning Management System, used by over 70 percent of ivy League Universities globally”.

He added ” it is the first to acquire the Anatomy table and low and high fidelity Manikins (Simman 3g), which enables the simulation of different scenarios for the training of Medical and Nursing Students”.

He said the institution placed on discipline and adherence to the approved academic calendar, with a commitment to addressing any instances of errant behavior.

Prof Aluyor however called on well meaning individuals and corporate organisations to generously contribute prizes for students of the institution who demonstrate excellence in their respective fields.

In his goodwill message, a member of the Edo State House of Assembly Hon. Inegbebor O. Eugene advised the students to be serious with their academic pursuit and make their parents proud by graduating with good grades

“The university is not a place to come to waste your time but to improve yourself, it is not all about getting the certificate but about going through the university and allowing the institution to go through you”.

He advised the students not to disappoint their parents by focusing on their studies and making the best use of the opportunity to graduate with good grades.

Hon. Inegbebor further stated that he will discuss with the Hon speaker, RT. Hon Blessing Agbebaku to see how Edo State House could institute a prize for the best graduating student in the university.

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