Graduating pupils in Primary 6, JS3, SS3 to resume and write exams
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday approved the lifting of restriction placed on interstate travel effective July 1 but with the proviso that such journeys are made outside the 10pm-4am curfew hours.
The president also extended the second phase of the relaxed lockdown by four weeks beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2020 to midnight of Monday, July 27, 2020.
The chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha made the announcements at the daily COVID-19 briefing held in Abuja yesterday.
Mustapha stated that the developments were contained in the PTF’s fifth interim report submitted to the president.
“I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has carefully considered the 5th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that, with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later, the phase II of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020, through midnight of Monday, 27 July 2020.
“Specifically, however, the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect:
“Maintaining the current phase of the national response, for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated by the national coordinator;
“Permission of movement across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July 2020;
“Enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by states, in particular, the use of face masks in public places;
“Safe re-opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in person in preparation for examinations;
“Safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable;
“Publication of revised guidelines around the three thematic areas of general movement, industry and labour; and community activities; provision of technical support for states to mobilise additional resources for the response,” he said.
Though all schools will remain closed, the PTF coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu said arrangements would be made for graduating students in Primary 6, JS3 and SS3 to resume and prepare for examinations.
“All day care and primary schools are to remain closed till further evaluation. Schools should continue with e-learning and virtual teaching. But pupils should proceed to take the National Common Entrance Examination as soon as it is feasible, provided there is compliance with non-pharmaceutical guidelines.
“For secondary and tertiary institutions, all schools are to remain closed till further evaluation. Arrangements are to be made for exiting graduating students in Primary 6, JS3 and SS3 to resume at both day and boarding schools as soon as possible for intensive revision exercises.
“All educational establishments must conduct exhaustive reviews to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines before they open.
“Arrangements will be made for students taking WAEC, NECO and NABTEB exams, and all schools must comply with the six recommended steps and required measures to be issued by the federal ministry of education before an institution is reopened in the timeline to be provided,” he said.
