Federal Government will meet with states on Tuesday to discuss modalities for the safe reopening of primary and secondary schools, reporters  have learnt.

Schools across the country have remained shut since March in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country that has resulted in the infection of over 25,000.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, had on Monday announced resumption of schools, saying it was meant to allow pupils in graduating classes to resume preparation for examinations.

However, Nigerian Medical Association and Nigeria Union of Teachers argued that the move was not only badly thought out, but could also expose both teachers and pupils to the deadly infection.

Despite the directive of Federal Government to reopen schools, much still hangs in the balance as state governments struggle to decide on dates to reopen schools.

Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mr Jimoh Ijegbai, said the state had yet to conclude on modalities for schools resumption.

He said, “I just got an invitation from the Minister of Education and we are meeting on Tuesday. The truth is that we have not drawn out the modalities for their resumption. I have sent a memo to Mr Governor. We need to buy infrared (thermometers). We need to fumigate all the school premises, get hand sanitisers and personal protective equipment for teachers.”

Chairman, Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Lawan Buhari, said the state ran educational programmes on the state radio and television to enable pupils to keep up with their curricula at home.

He, however, added that, as for the resumption date for terminal pupils in primary and secondary schools, “we have yet to decide on that.”

Similarly, Osun State Government, on Friday, said no date had been picked for school resumption in the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Jamiu Olawumi, however, told one of our correspondents that teachers would resume before pupils in terminal classes returned to schools.

In Bauchi, Commissioner for Education, Mr Aliyu Tilde, noted that the state government was waiting for federal directives.

“Everything will depend on the guidelines provided by Federal Government/NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control). All states are waiting,” he said in a text message.

Punch