COVID-19: Reopen Schools Now, Expose Innocent Kids To Avoidable Risks - ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned the Federal Government of Nigeria to think twice and put all necessary equipment necessary for reopening schools in the country. 

Federal Government has mulled the idea of the reopening of schools across the country, as it considers the effect of taking such action, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) laying down guidelines that must be followed by institutions before schools in the country can be reopened.

Opposing the idea, ASUU argues that the Federal Government should take the lead in ensuring that all the directives of the NCDC, regarding the reopening of schools, be followed before any such action is taken.

The union, through its president, Biodun Ogunyemi, has asked that the government not leave the work to individual citizens, but should "take the lead."

The statement says, “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.

READ ALSO: Test Flight: House Committee Satisfied With Safety Measures

“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.”

Consideration For Government-Owned Schools

The union also has asked that the government takes into consideration government-owned schools that are unable to satisfy the requirement laid down by the NCDC due to inadequate financial means.

Ogunyemi described the move by the Federal Government as "suicidal", stating that reopening schools will only "expose" vulnerable kids to the virus.

Schools across the country have been closed since March, when the virus broke out in the country, in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus.

He stated, “It is suicidal to reopen schools now if the Federal Government itself could not meet the conditions spelt out by the NCDC and the World Health Organisation. The nation will expose innocent children to avoidable risks.”