Kwara state is on red alert as the world confronts the Coronavirus pandemic with the state government calling for total compliance of closure of all public and private schools in the state effective from Monday, March 23, next week.
“The closure order may be reviewed to include higher institutions later if the situation calls for it,” a statement by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Bisola Fatimah Ahmed said in Ilorin.
She said the government was aware that most schools ought to begin the second term examinations next week, but “the government is compelled to prioritise public safety at this time of a global pandemic.”
For this reason, all schools, primary and secondary, private or public should be shut by Monday. Children should be encouraged to stay at home, the statement directed.
“There will be future communications regarding impending statutory examinations such as secondary school certificate examinations.”
The statement affirmed that Kwara state has no confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 as at this moment, even as all measures have been put in place to keep the people safe at all times.
It advised the people to maintain the highest standards of personal hygiene and practice social distancing within the limits necessary for safety.
With the state placed on red alert, the commissioner urged “every stakeholder including religious organisations to put public health above every other consideration.
“In the event of any suspicion of any case, the public is advised to alert the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” the statement added.
