A week after disagreeing with the August 4 date given by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for examination students to come write their exams, the Federal Government and the council have agreed for the students to return on September 5, 2020.
Minister of State for Education Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who made this known on Friday in Abuja, said the decision resulted from a compromise in the meeting between the ministry and the council’s officials and the governments of four other countries will be consulted on the new examination date.
Also, Nwajiuba disclosed that school owners in the country have up to July 29, 2020 to meet specific guidelines towards the reopening of schools at a date to be announced in due course.
He said after consulting widely, the ministry, in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Education in Emergencies Working Group, has developed and circulated guidelines for the reopening of schools.
In a statement, the ministry’s Director of Information Ben Bem Goong, quoted the minister as saying that the school owners were to prepare and comply with the guidelines.
Nwajiuba urged the schools to undertake a self-assessment and give their state ministries of education feedback before or no later than July 29, 2020.
“Thereafter, consultations with relevant stakeholders will be held to review the situation and decide on a specific date for reopening or otherwise.
“We have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector, including commissioners of education in all the states of the federation, the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), provosts of colleges of education, rectors of polytechnics, vice-chancellors of universities, some state governors and development partners.
“On WAEC, we met with WAEC on Monday and have agreed to further consult with four other countries on new examination date.
“We appreciate the concern shown by all stakeholders and note the divergent views expressed on the matter, the Minister added.
“Parents should be rest assured that the safety of our students and teachers is paramount as we work assiduously towards the speedy reopening of our schools for the exit classes to take external examinations,” he said.
