The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned the federal government against reopening of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National President, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota, Ogun said the Federal Government needs to address the challenges of the education sector before it can reopen schools.
Ogunyemi urged the Government to provide an ideal environment and take the lead by meeting the conditions spelt out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) before reopening schools.
The ASUU president said considering all the requirement by NCDC, and the WHO it will take millions of Naira to reopen schools in the country, which many schools cannot afford.
“The Government must lead and show the ways by meeting the conditions for reopening of schools before any school can be allowed to open because COVID-19 pandemic is a health challenge.
“When it comes to public health, it is something that should not be left in the hands of individuals, but the Federal Government must take the lead,’’ he said.
The ASUU president lamented that many schools do not have financial capacities to meet NCDC conditions and requirements for reopening of schools.
He stressed that it will be suicidal to reopen schools now.
“The government will expose the innocent children to risks which are avoidable.
“Many schools do not even have running water, not to talk of having facility for washing hands and sanitizers.
“They also do not have enough spaces to promote physical distancing,” Ogunyemi added.
