The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Monday said it is risky to fully reopen schools across the states in the country at this time in view of the experiences of countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
The PTF therefore cautioned states planning to full reopen to watch it in order not to encourage a spike in the number of fresh COVID-19 cases.
Schools have remained shut since March as part of steps taken by government to check the spread of the rampaging pandemic.
However, the Federal Government announced the resumption of graduating pupils effective August 4, 2020, to write this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination from August 17, 2020, through September 12, 2020.
But speaking at Monday’s briefing, the PTF Chairman and Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha said his views were advisory as he was not stopping states from reopening schools.
“The Presidential Task Force appreciates ongoing calls for the reopening of the education sector. And indeed, some sub-nationals are already making preparations for such.
“Whilst the PTF does not discourage such preparations, we need to be guided by experiences from countries such as Germany, France, the US, and the UK where the opening of schools in some cities led to confirmed cases and fatalities.”
