COVID-19: Akwa Ibom senator asks federal govt to reopen schools

Senator Akon Eyakenyi

By UbongAbasi Okon

A senator from Akwa Ibom state, Akon Eyakenyi has asked the federal government to reopen schools across the country.

The federal government on June 29 said it has given approval for “safe opening” of schools nationwide to allow students in graduating classes to resume preparation for examinations.

Some concerned Nigerians, including the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have, however, cautioned the government against reopening school because of the continuous increase in COVID-19 infection in the country.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria was 26,484 as of July 1.

Mrs Eyakenyi, who is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, said on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting between her committee and the federal ministry of education that school children have been at home without adequate alternative arrangements for them to access formal knowledge and education.

The senator, according to a statement from her media aide, Francis Eyo, said the situation has compounded the challenges of over 14 million out of school children in Nigeria.

She said the education sector, particularly the Basic and Secondary Education sub-sector, has been the worst affected in the last four months by the pandemic.

She advised the federal ministry of education and major stakeholders in the Basic and Secondary Education sub-sector to fashion out adequate Covid-19 preventive measures that will help in curbing the spread of the pandemic when the federal government yield her call and reopen the schools in the county.

Mrs Eyakenyi represents Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.