PTF calls for caution as states move to fully reopen schools

Yusuf Bello| The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 on Monday said it was against the plan by some states to fully reopen schools but warned states to be guided by the experiences of countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, last Saturday said tertiary institutions in the state would also reopen from September 14, 2020 while primary and secondary schools would fully reopen from September 21, 2020.

Other states are also making plans to reopen schools soon.

But the PTF chairman and secretary to the government of federation, Boss Mustapha, at the task force briefing on Monday said, “The Presidential Task Force appreciates ongoing calls for the reopening of the education sector. And indeed, some sub-nationals are already making preparations for such.

“Whilst the PTF does not discourage such preparations, we need to be guided by experiences from countries such as Germany, France, the US, and the UK where the opening of schools in some cities led to confirmed cases and fatalities.”

Schools in the country were shut in March as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The federal government, however, approved exit classes for graduating pupils effective August 4, 2020, to write this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination from August 17, 2020, through September 12, 2020.