Gbenro Adesina
The Federal Government has ordered that the exit classes for secondary schools students in Nigeria be reopened on Tuesday August 4, 2020.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, the reopening of the school has become necessary so that the students would be able to prepare themselves for West African Examinations (WAEC) starting on 17th of August, 2020.
The statement emphasised that the decision was unanimously reached at a virtual consultative meeting held today between the Ministry of Education and commissioners of education of all 36 states, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the proprietors of private schools, chief executives of examination bodies.
It stated further, “It was agreed that the exit classes should resume immediately after the Sallah break , from the 4th of August, 2020, to enable them prepare for the WAEC examinations scheduled to commence from the 17th of August, 2020. The meeting also resolved that a passionate appeal be made to the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and public spirited Nigerians for assistance to schools across the country to enable them fast track the preparations for safe reopening as agreed”.
The statement concluded, “Another meeting is to be convened tomorrow between the Federal Ministry of Education and chief executives of examination bodies namely NECO, NABTEB and MBAIS to harmonise their examination dates, which will be conveyed to stakeholders expeditiously by the Federal Ministry of Education”.
