Niger State Government has announced phased reopening of public secondary schools across the State.
To this effect, all public day secondary schools are to reopen on Monday, March 29, 2021 while the others will reopen on April 6th.
Recalled that the Ministry of Education closed all Public Secondary Schools two weeks ago for the conduct of risk assessment in the schools.
But in a statement by Hajiya Hannatu Jibrin Salihu, the Commissioner for Education said the decision for phase reopening was taken at its expanded management meeting of Directors, Zonal Directors of Quality Assurance, and Heads of Agencies.
She said the reopening will be in phases as follows: ” All day secondary school are to reopen on Monday, March 29th while all boarding secondary schools in urban areas are to reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
Similarly, low risk boarding secondary schools in rural areas that are to run as day schools during the period are also to reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
She however added that Public day secondary schools in areas of high risk that would run in clusters with selected safe schools in nearby communities would reopen on a later date to be announced after adequate arrangements are concluded.
” Students from other communities in the boarding schools that would operate as day schools during the period would be moved to other boarding/day secondary schools in their localities.
Government noted that all principals have been provided with specific details in respect of the arrangement charging them to work in collaboration with their zonal directors to ensure compliance in the light of the demands of current security realities.
Salihu however assured that adequate security will be provided to all schools, especially those at high risk areas to enhance the capacity of the school system and security personnel to response to threats .
” ” To this end, every school must immediately form a formidable Security team, comprising of School Officials, Security Personnel, PTA, SBMC and Vigilante with active community participation to allow for strong security presence in and around the Schools.
” In addition, principals are expected to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols by guaranteeing the compulsory wearing of face masks, sanitizing of hands and maintaining social distancing among others.” she said.
