The House of Representatives said on
Tuesday that a postponement of the September 22 resumption date for
private and public primary/secondary schools in the country was likely.
The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on
Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Victor Ogene, who conveyed the position of
the House in Abuja, said there was still apprehension among parents and
guardians over the Federal Government’s decision to change the earlier
resumption date of October 13 to September 22.
It will be recalled that the Minister of
Education, Mr. Ibrahim Shekarau, had earlier stated that the October 13
resumption date was to give health officers enough time to bring the EVD
under control.
However, following protests by private school owners, the government made a U-turn and opted for September 22.
But, Ogene said the leadership of the
House was concerned over the fresh protests by the public, especially
parents and guardians.
He added that the House asked the
committee to look into the matter urgently “in the overall interest of
the pupils and students, parents and guardian and the general well-being
of the entire country.”
Ogene said, “You will recall that upon
the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus disease in Nigeria, the House
Committee on Health rose up to the occasion by interfacing with the
health authorities – the result of which is the positive containment
efforts and call-off of the strike by doctors in the country.”
However, he noted that considering the
fact that some persons were still under surveillance, the House felt it
had the responsibility to ensure the safety of children.
He also told journalists that the House
was duty-bound to safeguard the entire country from a likely further
spread of the disease.
The lawmaker said the committee would come up with recommendations on the appropriate and safe date to re-open the schools.
He added that on September 8, a group,
Africa Health, Human and Social Development Information Service, had
advised against the re-opening of the schools.
The group had warned that re-opening schools now could put the lives of over 80 million school children and teachers at risk.
