Richard Ginika’s Izuora
The Federal Government on Monday, July 27, said only schools designated as centres for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations and in respect of the exiting classes would re-open.
Minister of State for Education, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, said this at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.
”All primary schools and all other classes were excluded,” he said.
Nwajiuba said that WAEC had agreed that only exams peculiar to Nigeria would be taken from September 5 to September 14, while exams common to all West African countries would proceed from September 17.
He said that Nigeria would domesticate its own time-table for the exams, while revision classes would start from today.
Nwajiuba also said a report on state’s preparedness was expected on July 31; which would inform which centres would open and how they would open and to address all gaps.
He noted that all state Governors, Commissioners for Education, and all other stakeholders had given their commitment to provide teachers, while WAEC would provide invigilators to ensure seamless conduct at the centres.
The Federal Government on Monday, July 27, announced the reopening of secondary schools in the country from the 4th of August, 2020; in anticipation of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination.
According to the statement, the students would have two weeks within which to prepare for the WAEC examinations; due to start on the 17th of August, 2020.
Director, Press and Public Relations; Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Bem Goong, stated this in a statement.
Goong explained that this was the decision reached at a virtual consultative meeting held on Monday.
He said: “It was agreed that the graduating classes should resume immediately after the Sallah break; from the 4th of August, 2020 to enable them to prepare for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examinations scheduled to commence from the 17th of August, 2020.
“The meeting also resolved that a passionate appeal be made to the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and public-spirited Nigerians for assistance to schools across the country to enable them fast track the preparations for safe reopening, as agreed.
“Another meeting is to be convened tomorrow (Today) between the Federal Ministry of Education and Chief Executives of examination bodies namely; National Examination Council, NECO, National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) and NBAIS to harmonise their examination dates; which will be conveyed to stakeholders expeditiously by the Federal Ministry of Education.”