Buhari Government Warned Against Reopening Nigerian school
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s planned reopening of schools.
COEASU President, Nuhu Ogirima, gave the condemnation in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday.
He said the decision amid the spike in coronavirus cases would put the lives of students in danger.
The union leader insisted that the government has not done enough testing for COVID-19 to guarantee the resumption.
COEASU’s warning came days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) issued similar caution.
“I can’t understand what the government is doing. What measures have they put in place? How do you ask students to resume for God’s sake?”, Ogirima quipped.
Ogirima reminded the government that students would return to schools from all parts of the country.
He said even the United States that eased lockdown is contemplating going back.
If you disinfect the environment, how likely is it that you can sustain the disinfection while the students are there because you must keep disinfecting the environment.”
Ogirima wondered how social distancing will be enforced in schools and hostels.
“There are hostels where ventilation is not effective. And then are you going to have constant power supply? Without constant power supply, you can’t clear the rooms. That is, the students may not be able to use their fan.”
Ogirima described the decision as ill-advised and urged authorities to reconsider.
He lamented that Nigeria has tested less than 1 percent of the entire population.
The president said by implication, more people that are positive that may not be symptomatic.
The COEASU leader warned Nigeria to go beyond rhetoric.
“Even smaller countries in Africa have launched apps to trace contacts. You have not even funded the institutions and you are asking them to be prepared. Be prepared for what?”, he queried.
