The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Osun State chapter has reacted to the directive from the federal government on the reopening of schools nationwide, saying the decision will pose more danger on the lives of both teachers and students.
Osun NUT made this known through its state Secretary, Mr Salami Olukayode on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun.
Olukayode argued that since the world is yet to discover a cure for the virus, it is not safe to reopen schools.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government through the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force (PTF) led by Boss Mustapha on Monday ordered that graduating students of Primary 6, JSS 3 and SSS 3 should return to schools to take their final exams.
While reacting to the reopening of schools, Olukayode insisted that efforts of the government for now is not enough to guarantee safety of the lives of teachers and students.
“Saying some section of students should return to school is like trying to test run how far the government has gone on the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
He however, urged government at all levels to double their efforts in containing the virus, adding that examination can be done any time when the country is free of COVID-19.
“Our teachers are ready to resume back to work but preventive measures against COVID-19 to protect their lives must be considered first”, he said.
According to Olukayode there is already the negative effect of COVID-19 on the country’s education sector since the closure of schools “but only the living can serve God”.
“As schools are being closed in Nigeria, so they are also closed all over the world. While we are speaking about adult students, they know how to protect themselves but little we can say about children, especially when they are out of coverage between their homes and school”.
He however, commended Governor Gboyega Oyetola for his administration’s relentless efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and his prompt payment of salary to teachers in the state.
He also lauded the ongoing electronic learning initiative, which is sponsored by the state government to engage students in continuous learning during the period of the closure.
I Ahmad dauda