How private schools in Uyo engaged in secret academic activities:
In what appears to be illegal resumption and show of defiance to government ban on resumption of schools across the country as a result of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic bedevilling the world, some private schools in Uyo have begun secret academic activities.
Our investigative reporter, who went round on Monday to monitor some private schools in Uyo following a tip off, gathered that these private schools were offering academic services in the guise of merely engaging the pupils in a few classroom exercises.
Our reporter also gathered that the pupils in those schools were seen in mufti, apparently to avoid raising any suspicion that they have secretly reopened academic work.
In one of the schools along Udo Eduok Street, Uyo, as at 10am, the school gate was already locked, while teaching was going on in some low tones.
One of the pupils in primary six (name withheld) who interacted with our reporter on her way to one of the schools, revealed that they resumed every week for classes from Monday to Friday in her school from 9 am and runs till 3pm.
She said subjects such as Mathematics, English Language and other important subjects are being taught in the school.
The pupil said this was to prepare them for their final examinations.
Our reporter who attempted gaining entrance into one of the schools to observe if the guidelines on the prevention of spread of COVID-19 recently given by the Federal Ministry of Education to all schools in the country before official announcement on resumption were being adhered to, could not access the school premises, as there was nobody by the gate to open it.
A visit to other schools showed that while many had their gates under lock and key without any academic activity, a few ones kept them partially open without any student or pupil seen.
In World Faith High Schools which is located on 22 Nelson Mandela Street, off Calabar-Itu Highway, Uyo, it was observed that the school gate was partially opened, but there were no classes.
Similarly, in Greater Grace Schools, off Nelson Mandela Street, our reporter observed that the gate was locked, but neither pupils nor students were seen around.
Reacting to the secret reopening, an educationist, Mr. Udemeobong Adams, said it was unfortunate that some proprietors had gone ahead to secretly reopen skeletal academic activities in their schools, despite government ban on resumption of schools across the country.
Mr. Adams, who spoke in a telephone interview with our reporter, said the actions of the private schools owners could portend danger to the health of the children, saying such moves might not be unconnected to the need to generate money through school fees to cushion the hardship they (proprietors) might be facing alongside other Nigerians owing to the current situation in the country.
“If some proprietors have secretly reopened, it is absolutely wrong, because government has not ordered for resumption yet. I know too well that this is because they want to make money from the pupils and students; not necessarily teaching them effectively,” he averred.
On the psychological effect of having to teach pupils in such a manner clandestine, the school administrator asserted that no effective learning can take place in such an atmosphere, dismissing the move as futile and a waste of time.
in a related development, the federal government has given private school owners till 29th July, 2020 to meet specific coronavirus guidelines ahead of school reopening at a future date.
Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, dropped the hint in Abuja, adding that the Ministry, has consulted and partnered with Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and the Education in Emergencies Working Group, to come up with and circulate guidelines for the reopening of schools.
Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba mandated private school owners are to prepare and and ensure compliance with the guidelines, insisting that schools are required to undertake self-assessment and send feedback to State Ministries of Education, not later than 29th July, 2020.
According to him, consultations with significant stakeholders are expected to hold in due course with a view to reviewing the situation and taking decisions on a specific date for school reopening.
He explained that, the Federal Ministry of Education has taken the painful but necessary decision not to reopen schools without necessary preparations to ensure the safety of students and teachers, with consultations with stakeholders, and a mechanism to assess and monitor compliance expected to be put in place.
“Since Tuesday last week, we have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector, including Commissioners of Education in all the states of the federation, the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria, APSON, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools,(NAPPS), Provosts of Colleges of Education, Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice Chancellors of Universities, some State Governors, and development partners”.
On WAEC, Hon. Nwajuiba said “we met with WAEC on Monday and have agreed to further consult with four other countries on a new examination date.
“We appreciate the concern shown by all stakeholders and note the divergent views expressed on the matter.
“Parents should be rest assured that the safety of our students and teachers is paramount as we work assiduously towards speedy reopening of our schools for the exit classes to take external examinations”, the Minister added.
