The Delta State Government has given the green light for tertiary schools in the State to reopen between now and October 2, depending on the school’s arrangements.
Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, the Commissioner for Higher Education, made the announcement on Thursday, September 17, in Asaba, while briefing newsmen on the government’s preparedness for tertiary schools in the state to reopen for academic activities.
Muoboghare reiterated that the directive is that tertiary schools should reopen between September 17 and Oct. 2, hence, by October 2, all the tertiary schools in the state should have resumed fully.
“We decided that they can resume in phases, depending on the school’s arrangements; we gave them between now and Oct. 2.
“They are not going to resume all programmes and levels at the same time, except those that have the facilities that can accommodate social distancing,” he said.
Moreover, the Commissioner explained that the students’ resumption would be in phases and by October 2, resumption would have been completed in conformity with the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Besides, Muoboghare explained that the media had earlier reported that the institutions would reopen on October 2, whereas what the government was saying that they could resume in phases or before October 2.
He explained further that the ministry is making plans to ensure that the education sector in the state does not suffer more than it had, as there are losses already.
“Secondary schools started with the external examination, and so when WAEC decided to fix a date for the final year students to write their examinations, Delta has to key into it.
“If the principals can manage those younger ones, because of what the government has put in place, we hope that we can manage the older ones.
“From June/July, we have been having interactions with the heads of higher institutions in preparation for the resumption and meeting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines.
“So that if there is any suspected case, the school can isolate and immediately contact NCDC”, he noted.
