Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in Nigeria, schools have remained shut but there have been calls by stakeholders for the reopening. Despite the calls, only students in exit classes have been allowed to re-open while others remain at home. Daily Trust Saturday speaks to some Nigerians on the continued closure of schools.
Muhammed Yakubu, teacher, 28, Minna
It is not good that schools have remained closed. It has very great consequences which we may not realize now. It is not a bad step to close schools but if our leaders put measures in place, schools could be reopened. The government should provide safety items and reopen schools.
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Comfort Ibrahim, 29, student and entrepreneur, Minna
It is unpleasant to be at home. The hope of graduating at a certain year is already dashed. For marketplaces, mosques and churches to be reopened, I believe schools should be reopened. The schools could be controlled but people in markets cannot be controlled while it is open, so schools should be reopened. Our parents are eager for us to resume because they have plans for us, which have been affected.
Bako Ibrahim, Civil Servant, Jalingo
The continued closure of schools could cause mass failure among students. The government should reopen schools to avoid this catastrophe. Some people are taking the issue of COVID-19 for their gains. It is the children of the poor that are suffering because the rich and highly placed individuals organised private classes for their children. It is necessary to reopen schools to enable students to continue their academic programmes.
David Moore, trader, 48, Abakaliki
The continued closure of schools is not a good omen for the Nigerian education system because it has contributed to an increase in crime such as rape, armed robbery, and internet fraud. The government should reopen schools so that our children will resume learning. We are tired and cannot continue this way. COVID-19 is over so let us resume every activity.
Okechi Alo,newspaper vendor, 56, Abakaliki
The continued closure of schools is no more welcomed because almost every sector in Nigeria has been reopened: banks, recreation centres, hotels, airports, worship centres, markets, and inter-states movements.
So if the federal government allowed markets with the high influx of people to open daily, I see no reason why they should not reopen schools. There is no logic in it. I’m even afraid those seven months lockdown will affect the standard of education in Nigeria.
Some countries that were worse hit by coronavirus have reopened their schools but Nigeria that did not record up to 2,000 deaths is yet to reopen.
Kelechi Idam, 24, student, Port Harcourt
The continued closure of schools will have negative effects on the educational system and to the society at large. It will lead to unemployment and an increase in criminal activities. These are the consequences. So I will join those calling for the reopening of schools.
Uche Micheal, Asaba, 45, businessman
I don’t think the continued closure of schools by both federal and state governments is good for our students. The students, since the closure of schools, have also lost traces of academic realities. Markets that were shut down in the past have been re-opened while churches have gradually increased their number of worshippers. If markets can be reopened and people moved in and out without any issue; churches also increased the number of congregants at each worship time, what stops schools from reopening? What the government should do is to set up serious COVID-19 protocols that students can observe and strictly adhere to then reopen schools. That is the only way to come out of it.
Joy Victor, Port Harcourt, teacher, 47
I am not happy with the continued closure of schools but I also want the government to be cautious in its reopening. COVID-19 pandemic curve is yet to be flattened and the Nigerian government is still battling with the pandemic. Many things are needed and we should not lose our guard. I want to appeal for patience from the parents while the government at all levels expedites actions towards working out safe protocols to ensure that students are safe when schools fully resumed.
Kabir Baba Tatu, Teacher, Jalingo
Both federal and state governments should consider reopening of schools without further delay. Markets, motor parks, worship centres were reopened in most states and the Federal Capital Territory, why schools remain closed? It is the children of the poor whose parents could not afford private teachers that are left to roam the streets. Continued closure of schools would lead to poor performance among students. Whatever measures are needed to ensure the safety of students should be put in place by the government to allow for the immediate reopening of schools.
Hussain Baba Wakili, Retired Civil Servant, Jalingo
The reopening of schools is long overdue. The pandemic seems to be subsiding in the country and globally therefore there is an urgent need to reopen schools. If public places including markets, banks, motor parks, and worship places were reopened what stopped the reopening of schools?
Abdullahi Khadijat Kuso, 18, student, Minna
I am not happy because I am tired of staying at home. Some of us have forgotten some of the things we learnt in school before the closure. The government should reopen schools. I heard people saying schools will be reopened next year but I want it to be this year because I’m fully ready to resume to school
