Dear Educators, below are the highlights of Our today's visual meeting with the state commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education .
1) Tele-classes and e-learning: The commissioner advised that since not all learners are privileged to get this learning online or through television, a transistor radio should serve a worthwhile purpose.
He further encouraged that with good social distancing and face masked, a group of learners can receive classes from a transistor radio.And this must not be in the school premises to avoid abuse.
Schools adopting e-lessons are free to do so without making it compulsory and it must not be used to teach the third term curriculum but purely for the purpose of refreshing the Learners memory .
2) Palliatives: The commissioner confirmed the letter written by NAPPS requesting for palliatives from Government. He affirmed that the state government is not financially viable to give out palliatives to private schools in form of grants, rather, the government is currently seeking palliatives from donors . The 2020 budget is being reviewed downward due to drastic drop in the price of crude oil in the global market..
However, The commissioner pointed out that arrangement is being made to see that all taxes and levies on private schools are being streamlined and to be paid through MBSE to save private schools from embarrassments from other ministries , Departments and Agencies the truamer of multiple taxation.
He further added that by the time schools resume and private schools render free service to parents, then , the issue of a renewal licence fee holiday can be considered.
3) Plans for schools resumption:
The following were suggested plans for resumption:
a) All schools are to be disinfected and cleaned up thoroughly two weeks to the resumption.
b) Provision of hands sanitizers and hand washing apparatus.
c) Provision of face mask for all learners either from home or to be provided by schools at minimised cost.
d) Social distancing: Arrangement is to be put in place by schools based on the population strength. Schools With large population can be in two sessions from
8am to 12noon for primary 1-3 and jss1 to 3
while primary 4 to 6 and ss 1 to 3 from 12 noon to 4pm.
School with smaller populations and enough space for distancing can run one stream for the day for all classes.
e) Provision of infrarred thermometer. This will help in testing the body temperature of staff and learners every day as they come to school.
This preparations have to be put in place before the end of this month in preparation for the most likely reopening of our schools.
Further briefing will be related to members as time goes on.
Nurturing For National Development!
E. E Ejeh,
State secretary.
