The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services has advised the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, to direct the management of all public and private schools across the country to fumigate schools before re-opening.
The committee made the call in a letter dated 20th May, 2020, addressed to the Minister and signed by Chairman of the Committee, Professor Julius Ihonvbere.
The committee called for the incorporation of the resolutions reached into re-opening plans of the Minister to prevent pupils/students from being infected with COVID-19.
It also advised that all public and private schools should sensitize their pupils/students adequately on the dangers of COVID-19 and the consequences as well as possible ways of protecting themselves from being infected.
“Disinfection of shoes and feet should be strongly encouraged for each classroom as done in poultry pens with appropriate non- corrosive solution, the letter added.
“Emphasis should be placed on the minimum number of pupils/students in a class in strict adherence to social distancing procedure/prescriptions
“Procurement of infrared thermometers, face masks and hand sanitizers for pupils and teachers’ use before entering school was advocated. “Special efforts should be made through existing structures to monitor full compliance with school re-opening protocols and bi-weekly report on those in charge should be required…,” the committee added.
The letter commended the Minister for introducing online teaching which it said, has impacted positively on learning during the lockdown. It however noted that students in the rural areas were left out in the online learning due to lack of electricity and internet facilities.