One of the badly hit sectors for the Covid-19 is the education sector.
The Nigerian government shut all schools as a measure against spread of the deadly virus which was increasing in numbers.
However, many months after shut-down, primary and secondary schools across the country have begun resumption.
EXCEL MAGAZINE INTERNATIONAL went round schools in Imo State, a South-Eastern part of the country to monitor compliance with the Covid-19 guideline regulations.
Observations and investigations reveal that no school out of those visited in Owerri, the state capital for instance obeyed the Covid-19 guideline for schools.
As at the time of this report, some schools visited still had their sitting arrangements in the traditional way with no proper social distancing as regards covid-19.
Speaking to the EXCEL Magazine International, a JSS3 student of Government College Owerri, Imo State said the reason he is not putting on the nose mask is because he feels there is no Covid-19 in the State. “There is no Corona Virus in Nigeria and Imo State, why should I stress myself having nose mask?” he explained highlighting the improper orientation of students in the state about the virus.
Another SS3 student maintained that they wash their hands before getting into a mock examination ongoing in preparation for the National Examination Council papers starting soon. It was gathered that immediately these students step out of the venue of mock examination, they stay away from wearing facemask or respecting any other social distancing guidelines.
At Owerri City School Imo State, while the guidelines were partially obeyed as students were mandated to put on the nose mask in the classrooms, stepping out of the classroom, they revert back to disobedience to this preventive measures, our reporters gathered.
In other schools visited, no hand sanitizers or running water for washing of hands were seen. No proper social distancing maintained as students and members of staff were seen keeping close contact.
This development is against the provision and directives of the government mandating that regulations that would help curb spread of the virus are respected.
Although schools have reopened in the state, there was still poor turn up on the first day by both teachers and students. Some students around 10 am were already leaving the school gate to their various homes.
Reacting to this, a teacher who pleaded anonymous stated that the low turn up by the teachers was a result of the World Teachers’ Day. Again the students are yet to face the reality that they need to return to classrooms.
Efforts by the EXCEL Magazine International to reach the senior staff members of the schools visited as of the time of filing this report was not possible as they were not in office, perhaps due to the World Teachers’ Day going on at the NUT Secretariat, Owerri.
