Schools Shouldn’t Resume, There Are No Adequate Measures To Contain The Pandemic – NDD

A Civil Society Group has come out to speak against the resumption of schools across Nigeria amid the pandemic.

The National Coordinator of Network for Democracy and Development, NDD, Mr Tajudeen Alabede recently had his say via a virtual press conference.

According to him, it is not comforting to see how several state governments are merely advising schools to observe COVID-19 protocols, as it only leaves the innocent students, pupils and staff to their fate amid the pandemic.

He added that it is very clear that adequate safety measures are still not put in place by the Federal and State Governments to contain the spread of the disease.

His words, “The consequences of poorly regulated resumption plans amidst the rising cases of COVID-19 may be catastrophic.”

“Nigeria has witnessed a devastating impact of the second wave of COVID-19, including the death of some high-profile citizens in the past few weeks. NDD is, therefore, alarmed by the plans by educational institutions across the country to resume academic activities without adequate safety measures.”

“NDD considers this inappropriate as the primary duty of any government is the security and wellbeing of the citizens”.”It is an irony that, while the plan for schools to resume is moving at a high speed, the same governments are vigorously campaigning against large gatherings.”

“That this is taking place against the background of insecurity across the country makes it all the more indefensible. What NDD expects is for the Government at all levels to regard COVID-19 as a national emergency which would demand that affected sectors are provided with all the necessary support that they need to cope with the impact of the pandemic.”

“In the minimum, Government should consider providing facilities for virtual classes, deploying health and security personnel to schools to handle emergencies, providing hand sanitisers and masks to students and staff, providing testing facilities for compulsory testing of all students and staff and setting up isolation centres in all Local Governments.”