Gombe State Government has appointed a 10 -member committee for the reopening of schools to enable graduating students and pupils go back to classrooms in the state.
Recalled that on 24th March 2020 Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya directed the closure of all Primary and Secondary Schools in the state as a pro- active measure to curtail the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
However, following the recent recommendations given by the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 regarding the re-opening of schools, the Governor showed passionate concern to re- open the schools for the continuation of usual academic activities in the state.
Speaking on Friday in Gombe, the State Commissioner of Education, Dr Habu Dahiru, approved the appointment of members of the Committee to look into the modalities and protocols for the reopening of all the schools in the state.
The terms of reference for the Committee include; to assess and analyse the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on the academic activities of Primary and Secondary Schools in the state.
Others the commissioner said are, to suggest a diligent and well-thought-out method for gradual reopening of Primary and Secondary Schools in the state in consonance with Covid-19 protocols as well as recommend appropriate methods and best practices to be put in place in the Primary and Secondary Schools as safety nets and precaution for the reopening of all schools in the state.
The rest he said are to make recommendations on how to address and bridge the gaps in teaching/ learning process brought about by the sudden closure of all schools during the lockdown with a view to indentify the lost of academic period and to develop deliberate strategic steps for the sensitization of all stakeholders in the education such as PTA’s SBMC’s Head Teachers/ Principal, among others for the smooth and hitch free reopening of all the schools in the state.
According to him, the committee is to also propose a well planned academic calendar for the requiring period of the 2019/2020 academic session for Primary and Secondary Schools in consonance with the prevailing trends in the country, to develop effective monitoring strategy for ensuring that all schools comply with approved recommendations before, during and after reopening of schools and to advise Government on the financial burden and cost implications of the adopted procedure, amongst others.
The Committee was given one week to summit it’s report to the Commissioner of Education, Dr Habu Dahiru while Adamu I Haya is the Chairman and Mela Gamaniel is to serve as secretary respectively.
