As Kwara schools resumes for second term today findings have shown that public schools in the state were ill equipped with safety equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Recall that Kwara State Government on Thursday announced today, Monday 18th January, as the beginning of second term for the 2020/2021 academic session in the state.
A visit to some schools within Ilorin metropolis by our reporter on Friday showed that many schools have not been provided with safety equipment needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Some teachers, who spoke to our medium under condition of anonymity, said the state government was yet to make provision for items to ensure safety of pupils and teachers in the face of the ravaging coronavirus.
“What we got from the government is just a directive that schools should resume on Monday.
“The Kwara State Government hasn’t made provision for the preventive measure to curb the spread of the virus. What you can see on ground are made available by the school authority,” the teacher said.
Similarly, a proprietor who does not want his name in print, confirmed that the state government did not provide schools with safety equipment.
“The school authority made available washing hands basin, sanitizers, face masks to the staff and infrared thermometers. We learnt government made available face masks to public schools not to private schools, “he said.
When contacted via telephone on Friday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Kemi Adeosun said the Kwara State Government has made available protective measures to schools to curtail the scourge of the pandemic.
“The Government has made available face marks, sanitizers through the stakeholders in the educational sector.
“Government has also set up a monitoring committee to ensure strict compliance by schools as erring school will be sanctioned.
“We held a meeting with the stakeholders on Thursday and the government has made available the needed preventive measure to schools through the affected stakeholders,” Adeosun affirmed.
She reiterated the commitment of the present administration in the state to flattening the curve of COVID-19 transmission in the state.
