The Federal Government has rolled out conditions schools and learning institutions must meet before they reopen.
The conditions are contained in a 36-page document submitted to the Senate by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu for their Information.
The document obtained by The Nation is titled: “Guidelines for schools and learning facilities reopening after COVID-19 pandemic closure.”
The Minister, in his forward to the document, described the conditions as key strategies for implementing safe, efficient, and equitable plans for school reopening and operations.
He noted that “given that COVID-19 may be with us for a while, the guidelines also highlight the urgent need to maintain and improve upon distance learning programmes.”
He added the guidelines were drafted in close coordination with health, environmental, education, and school safety experts tasked with the responsibility of charting a pathway for safely reopening schools and learning facilities for quality teaching and learning.
Schools are also to establish and adequately equip dispensaries and clinics as appropriate as well as maintain regular contact and collaborate with health authorities on school safety, health, and hygiene.
Other conditions include that the Federal Government and other school owners would: “Develop appropriate mental health and psychosocial support services that address stigmatization and discrimination to assist learners, teachers, administrators, and other education personnel and their families to cope with the effects of COVID-19 and continued uncertainties of the pandemic.