The federal government yesterday reversed its earlier directive authorising schools to reopen for students participating in Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) and Junior Secondary Certificate Examinations (JSCE).
Also affected by the action are pupils qualified to participate in common entrance examinations.
Addressing journalists in Abuja after the federal executive council meeting, the minister of education, Mr. Adamu Adamu said students and pupils in graduating classes who were billed to resume for revision classes preparatory to their final examinations will no longer be allowed to do so because of the worsening spread of the coronavirus disease in Nigeria.
The minister also cancelled Nigeria’s participation in the 2020 West African Examination Council (WAEC) examinations because of the spread of the coronavirus disease.
He said schools under the control of the ministry of education would remain close until it is safe to reopen them.
It would be recalled that the minister of state for education, Mr. Emeka Nwajiuba had on Monday, July 6 announced that schools would reopen for graduating students on August 4.
But Adamu, who said Nwajiuba might have been misquoted, said he would rather prefer Nigerian students losing an academic session than to be exposed to danger.
“Me, as minister of education, if I’m given the chance, I don’t mind Nigeria losing a whole school year than exposing our children to danger.
“WAEC is a parastatal of the ministry of education. They cannot determine for the government,” he noted.
Adamu maintained that schools will not reopen in Nigeria very soon either for external examinations or usual academic activities until it is safe for children to return to school in view of the astronomical rise in the spread and infection of COVID-19.
The minister also appealed to states which had announced the reopening of schools in their domains to have a rethink.
He said it is not safe to reopen schools now adding that as the minister of education he is accountable for the lives of Nigerian children.
“I don’t know whether you journalists are misquoting the minister of state for education or maybe quoting what WAEC said and made it into a story. Schools under the supervision of the federal ministry of education will not be opened on August 4 or anytime soon.
“Our schools will only open when we believe it’s safe for our children and that is when the situation is right, not when the incidence of the infection is going up in the nation.
“I just want to make it clear. We will not open schools soon for examination or for any reason unless it is safe for our children, even WAEC. WAEC will not determine for us what we do. Schools will remain closed.
“Yesterday, we called on stakeholders who will tell us the situation and the way it should be done for it to be safe. While the meeting was going on, WAEC announced that they are starting examinations. Let’s see who they are going to start with.
“I will also like to use this position to ask those states that have already announced (reopening), I appeal to them. I think it is not safe. I feel responsible for all children, not just those who are in federal government controlled schools. Please let’s save our children from this.
“One infected child is enough to infect a whole class. When they close from class, they go into the dormitory. This is not the right time to open schools. I appeal to the states that have already announced to reconsider it,” he said.
Asked if he took into consideration the implication of denying students from participating in next month’s SSCE, Adamu said: “Me as minister of education, if I’m given the chance, I don’t mind Nigeria losing a whole school year than exposing our children to danger. WAEC is a parastatal of the ministry of education. They cannot determine for the government.”
