Emmanuel Adigwe
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday has advised the federal government against reopening of schools because of the coronavirus pandemic.
ASUU president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, stated this when chatting with journalists in Ota, Ogun State, stressing that there are enormous challenges facing the education sector already.
He said: “The federal government must lead and show the ways by meeting the conditions for reopening of schools before any school can be allowed to open, because COVID-19 pandemic is a health challenge.
“When it comes to public health, it is something that should not be left in the hands of individuals, but the federal government must take the lead.”
He listed the conditions listed by NCDC, which include: provision of materials for regular washing of hands, face mask, isolations centres, space for social distancing and hands sanitizer and he stated that many schools do not have the financial wherewithal to meet the necessary conditions.
He added: “It is suicidal to reopen schools now, if the federal government itself could not meet the conditions spelt out by NCDC and World Health Organisation (WHO).
“The nation will expose the innocent children to avoidable risks.”