Jun 9, 2020

The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, has hinted that schools across the country may reopen immediately the ban on interstate movement has been lifted.

Mr Nwajiuba disclosed this during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday, June 8.

While maintaining that the government has not fixed any date for school reopening, he said the ministry will not want to lead Nigerians into danger.

He said, “We want to open when it is safe to do so. We have heard about neighbouring countries that opened and shut. We have heard about cases spiking with children getting into school. Of all the things I will like to do, I will not like to experiment with your children.

“We want a situation where once we are sure it is safe, we can then take them into school.

Nwajiuba however noted that the reopening of schools is hinged on when the government lifts the ban on interstate movement.

He said “As soon as those in charge of the blockade lift it because there is no way we can open our schools if teachers can’t come. So, we are looking at somewhere after the interstate lockdown is lifted. Because we will need that kind of openness for the children to move