On Wednesday, Sokoto, Jigawa and Niger states indicated that their schools will re-open in October.
And yesterday, there were reports from Katsina and Rivers states to the effect that schools may not re-open as scheduled.
Katsina State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Sawudi Dayi, who addressed newsmen at the end of the state executive meeting, said the health of pupils and teachers is paramount.
According to him, the decision which is a national one has to be complied with by the state as Katsina cannot be seen to operate in isolation.
He said if government provides thermometers, hand washing equipment and sensitises to teachers schools will reopen.
He directed members of the union to desist from talking to the press and monitor private school proprietors to ensure that only those that have put in place necessary measures are allowed to operate.
But the state government insisted that schools must reopen on September 22.
Spokesperson of the state Ministry of Education, Musa BK, said there is no going back on the date, as arrangements are on to reopen schools next week.
On the demands made by teachers, he said: “These are things that will come with time, but for now, schools will open as scheduled.”
Also in Rivers State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker, said government will not open its schools until the state is sure that the virus has been fully contained.
He said the state government budgeted N1bn monthly to successfully fight the virus.
“We are in the middle of a battle. The number of people under surveillance is too huge for us to declare that schools should resume on September 22. I don’t see us resuming that day. I have to work it out with the Ministry of Education. I will also have to put our position across to the state executive council for onward consideration and approval,” he said.
