Re-opening schools amid the ravaging coronavirus disease

SCHOOLS in most parts of Nigeria are likely to start receiving students from today January 18, 2021 as the Federal Government last week gave a go-ahead for resumption of academic activities. All levels of schools remained closed across the country following the resurgence of COVID-19 scourge, with the second wave being more devastating.

Government-owned universities had remained closed for more than 10 months last year as a result of the action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The union called off the strike late December 2020 leading to the National Universities Commission (NUC) suggesting that universities in the country can re-open for studies from January 18, 2021. The Federal Government through the Ministry of Education endorsed the proposal by the NUC and directed that schools across the country should re-open on that date.

The directive for the resumption of academic activities is coming on the heels of an upswing in the number of infections and fatalities across the country as reported daily by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The centre reported 1,598 new cases on Saturday, slightly lower than 1,867 cases reported the previous day, the highest so far in a single day. Seven deaths were reported on Saturday alone. It brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 108,943 and 1,420 deaths. About 85,367 patients have been discharged while 22,156 are still taking treatment in isolation centres.

This explains why the announcement by government to re-open schools was received with mixed reactions across the country as stakeholders either applauded the move or expressed deep concern given the ravaging nature of the second wave of the virus, as well as inadequacy of resources and facilities to cope with the situation.

Students, school proprietors and managers of educational institutions, have welcomed the move. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) want schools re-opened immediately as students have remained at home for too long. The association cited the loss of an academic year to the face-off between ASUU and the Federal Government and noted that further delay would be disastrous for students and their parents. NANS offered to ensure that the necessary safety precautions are put in place and followed by students while in school.

Other stakeholders in the academic system also want schools to re-open. Vice Chancellors of some universities insist they are ready to receive students and begin academic activities in spite of the position of ASUU. Proprietors of some private schools also toe the line of the Vice Chancellors. The founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola, at a press conference in Ado Ekiti recently said waiting indefinitely for COVID-19 to go was dangerous for the academic community, especially students, as the pandemic might remain with us for another year. He wants government to allow schools to re-open with strict safety precautions in place.

Parents want schools re-opened but are apprehensive of the current situation as the virus continues to spread dangerously across the country with unimaginably devastating effects. The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF C-19) however expressed concern about the safety of students as they return to school since it would be difficult to adhere strictly to the safety protocols in a school environment. The NCDC raised similar concerns and indicated that an explosion in the level of infection might be disastrous as available facilities and personnel are already overstretched.

Both ASUU and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Association (COEASU) also warn that schools do not have the necessary facilities to prevent the spread of the virus and it would be dangerous for students to return without first putting in place the necessary facilities and safety arrangements. They threatened not to commence classes if adequate safety measures are not in place.

Also opposing “hasty” re-opening of schools and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps in the face of the scourge, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) faulted the move and said it was an invitation to disaster. The body pointed out that available health facilities are already overstretched and medical personal overwhelmed by the rapid increase in the number of infections.

Medical experts have also cautioned that the country risks explosion in infection levels as asymptomatic persons may infect those with low immunity in group environments such as schools. They advise that government should tarry awhile and reasonably deal with the situation before opening schools to avoid increased community transmission of the virus. They warn that a congregation of people in any form should not be encouraged because the mutating virus is now found almost everywhere in the country; cautioning that bringing people from different locations to camp in one place was not advisable at this time.

The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services is also not comfortable with the re-opening of schools. Expressing serious concern through a statement issued last weekend, the committee stated that “we are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under, schools were closed, but now that it is well above 1,000 daily, schools are re-opened.” It therefore asked: “Why are we rushing to re-open schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure our children?”

Given the above scenario, it seems government is either under pressure from vested interests or being blackmailed to re-open schools, even though it is aware of the implications of a hasty action on such matters. It is difficult to reconcile a situation where relevant institutional bodies are raising serious concerns about the inherent dangers ahead and government is insisting on re-opening schools even when reasonable safeguards are not yet in place. It does not make sense locking down recreation centres, gardens and parks but re-opening schools which are capable of having comparatively larger number of persons at single group formations. The same government asking civil servants of Grade Level 14 and below to work from their homes is asking students to return to school!

Lagos State for instance has extended the ‘work from home’ order for civil servants on Grade Level 14 and below from Monday January 18, to February 1, to check the spread. Only last week, it shut down the Lagos University Medical School because of the rising number of infections in the facility and across the state. The Meiran Health Centre was also shut down because almost all the personnel tested positive to the virus. The state’s Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, also ordered a restriction of persons attending court sessions in Lagos. Only officers on essential services are to report for duty and allowed entry into court premises until further notice.

Also, following the spike in the scourge, the Edo State government postponed the re-opening of schools in the state to February 1, as it is still watching events; but other states are poised to go along with the Federal Government pronouncement.

However, in going ahead to re-open schools, government has listed some conditions which all concerned must comply with. These include compulsory wearing of facemask; provision of facilities for temperature checks and hand washing; constant supply of water and sanitisers; maintaining of social distancing; avoiding overcrowded places; functional health centres and obeying all other pharmaceutical protocols, restrictions and commitment measures recommended and approved by the PTF from time to time.

Given the level of impunity that pervades the entire Nigerian society including educational institutions as exemplified by the current compliance level with safety protocols put in place to help curb the spread of the virus, there is no guarantee that the conditions listed will be reasonably complied with. Even where the facilities are provided, compliance and enforcement have been very disappointing.

The breach of safety protocols across the country is disturbing and this is not helped by those who are playing politics and religion with the pandemic. Don’t be surprised to discover that some highly placed Nigerians who are supposed to be interested in the safety and well-being of society are the ones playing games with the severity of the disease. Some relevant organisations which, ideally, should be helping in the enlightenment of citizens on the dangers of allowing avoidable spread of the disease, are more interested in finding faults. Even when they complain of inadequate facilities in our health institutions and raise alarm over the tardiness in handling the scourge, they do nothing to help curb the spread of the virus.

The manner in which individuals are breaching safety protocols is simply amazing. While some people care less about the implications of carelessness and dismissing the existence of the pandemic, some organisations just pay lip service to the safety campaign and do not enforce the protocols even within their respective organisations. However, we make exception for the local airlines that insist on the basic protocols including a face mask mandate for all passengers and personnel.

Given the way people are breaching safety protocols with impunity, it is now left to individuals to take personal responsibility to protect themselves from the irresponsibility of others. This can be done by strictly adhering to safety protocols put in place by the relevant authorities including the proper wearing of face masks, regular hand hygiene, avoiding crowded places and maintaining social distancing. It also involves keeping a safe distance from those who think they can endanger the lives of others with their pathetic behaviour. What is so difficult in wearing a face mask?

We appreciate the concerns of the various stakeholders who want schools to re-open, especially after university students lost an academic session due to ASUU strike. The economic hardship arising from the impact of the virus on different sectors of the economy including educational institutions is also another valid reason for schools to be re-opened.

However, at the end of the day, we must weigh the implications of the current coronavirus scenario as schools re-open and act in the best interest of students and the school environment. In trying to solve one problem, we should not create more problems. The government, given its vantage position, must think and coordinate their best efforts for the good of all.