Lagos, Osun and Kogi States have fixed dates for the resumption of schools. Schools were shut down across Nigeria for over four months since the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, with only students in exit classes resuming in early August to sit for their exams. Lagos State has slated September 14 for the resumption of tertiary institutions while making plans to reopen primary and secondary schools on September 21. The Osun State government announced September 21 for resumption of an abridged third term for the 2019/2020 academic session, which is expected to end on October 30, with a new academic session scheduled to commence on November 9. Tertiary institutions owned by the State are also expected to reopen. The Kogi State government also announced that schools at all levels will resume on September 14.
Though widespread concern has been raised over the reopening of schools in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bigger concern among Nigerians is what appears to be the absence of a coherent government response to learning and education in the country. Lots of Nigerians and parents have raised concerns that the shut down of schools could have serious long-term effects on the nation’s education standards and education generally. Sceptics even go as far as to say that government’s incoherence is deliberate in the light of paucity of funds. On the other hand, a few are cautious about schools reopening, warning of the possibility of further spread of COVID-19. Indeed, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu was curiously quoted to have said that if he had his way, schools would remain shut into 2021.
Prof. Olusiji Sowande, Co-ordinator of the Lagos State zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reportedly cautioned against the reopening of schools, citing poor school infrastructure and facilities as possible obstacles to social distancing that COVID-19 requires.
According to Prof. Sowande, this situation has laid bare, the infrastructural deficiencies in the education and health sectors. He also criticised the Federal Government for not providing bailout funds for universities, as it had done for select businesses in other sectors. In addition, the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 while appreciating the calls and preparations for reopening institutions of learning, has asked stakeholders to be guided by the experiences of other countries who have opened schools and had to shut down owing to increased numbers of infections.
Although the health concern over the resumption of schools may be an important factor, stakeholders are more worried about government schools with limited infrastructure and facilities. It will be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Education released a manual in July for the reopening of schools, which is expected to serve as a guide to prepare teachers, students and other stakeholders for the resumption of academic activities.