School Resumption: Ekiti Holds Covid-19 Sensitisation Meetings With Head Teachers
Ekiti State Government has said that it would vigorously enforce the COVID-19 protocols, as well as a 15 point guideline developed by the State Universal Basic Education Board, when primary schools resume after the COVID-19 lockdown.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Foluso Daramola who made this known in Ado-Ekiti in a keynote address delivered at a meeting the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) management held with head teachers of public primary schools in the state, expressed the total commitment of government to the safety of teachers and pupils when the schools resume.
He disclosed that plans are underway to appoint and train focal persons in all schools to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 protocols when schools resume. Also speaking in separate meetings held with head teachers from the three Senatorial Districts of the State at Ikere, Ado and Ido-Ekiti, the Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Francisca Aladejana, said fumigation of school buildings and cutting of grass and bushes in the school premises, would be carried out in all the schools before the resumption date.
She disclosed that hand washing materials such as Veronica buckets, bowls, liquid soap and hand sanitizers, would be made available at strategic locations within the school compounds, stressing that teachers must personally supervise handwashing for pupils every morning, from 8.00am to 8.30am and after break time, from 11.30 to 12.00 noon.
While noting that pupils and teachers with high temperature or COVID-19 related symptoms would not be allowed entrance into schools, the SUBEB boss said infrared thermometers would be provided for schools, to ensure that all pupils and teachers are tested before being allowed into the school premises.
Prof. Aladejana announced the reduction of morning school assemblies to a maximum of three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and that the assembly periods should be used for sensitising pupils on the ways of curtailing the spread of the Corona Virus. She further stressed that social distancing must be observed mandatorily by both pupils and school staff in every situation with a directive that chairs and tables in classrooms must be rearranged in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
Aladejana disclosed that a checklist of these guidelines would be carried out by the COVID-19 Prevention Compliance School Monitoring Committee to be set up by the State Government, while Certificates of Readiness showing that a school has adhered to all the conditions required for school reopening will be issued to all schools before they can be allowed to reopen.
Head Teachers were encouraged to ensure that their pupils take advantage of the School on Air programme which is being sponsored by the State Government.
