The FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, on Thursday directed the reopening of all schools in the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday, Oct. 11 for the 2020/2021 Academic Session.

Mr Bello, who made the disclosure at a news conference in Abuja, explained that boarding school are to resume on Sunday, while Day schools would resume on Monday Oct. 12.

He said the decision to reopen schools had been probably one of the most painstaking decision that the FCT administration had to take as a team.

“In opening of schools we have to be very careful and conscious of the need to ensure that all the efforts of all of us during the last few months are not in vain.

“Based on the reality on ground as well as the inputs and advice of medical personnel and the guidelines of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) and releases from the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We have come to the conclusion that it is relatively safe for us to open up schools in the FCT base on certain guidelines and conditions which will be release shortly,” he said.

He noted that the gathering of young people and children within enclosed environment posed very peculiar challenges that requires handling with utmost care, particularly by the schools and education administrators.

Mr Bello enjoined parents, guardians and stakeholders to complement the efforts of the FCT administration by further sensitising their people and wards on the need to adhere strictly to health guidelines.

He warned that the virus had not been eliminated and it was still a deadly disease, saying “now is therefore not the time for us to be complaisant.”

The Chairman FCT Schools Resumption Committee, Dr Fatima Abdulrahman, who read the guidelines for the post COVID-19 school resumption, disclosed that there would not be third term.

Mrs Abdulrahman directed schools to conduct revision and examination to tidy up and end second term within two weeks.

She warned private schools against demanding for third term fees, adding that maximum class size should be 25 students per class.

She said that the FCT administration has suspended all activities that encourages crowding and clustering in schools.

Mrs Abdulrahman said that every school should have a sick bay where students with high temperature would be kept under the supervision of health personnel until their parents come for them.

She warned that any school that does not comply with the guidelines and an outbreak occurs in the school due to negligence, risk closure.

NAN