FG Cautions Vice-chancellors Against Reopening Schools

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The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education has cautioned against the resumption of schools at all levels, stressing that vice-chancellors must maintain the closure of federal, state and private universities so as to keep people and students safe from the coronavirus pandemic.

In a circular on Friday, May 8, the National University Commission, NUC, targeting heads of commissions and regulatory bodies in the education sector, insisted that schools at all levels remain closed, requesting them to ignore fabricated news on social media that it had directed resumption of schools.

“Vice-chancellors will please recall that following the ministerial directive of March 19, 2020, the NUC issued two circulars on Friday, March 20, to convey approval for the closure of institutions for a period of one month effective from Monday, March 23, the circular read.

“The Federal Ministry of Education has subsequently directed on Friday, March 8, that all schools remain closed as the Federal Government is closely monitoring developments on the containment of the COVID-19. Vice-Chancellors are to ignore the fake news being circulated in the social media as the situation is under constant review and any decision will be conveyed through the appropriate channels.

“I am therefore to forward herewith, a copy of the circular from the Federal Ministry of Education to vice-chancellors of Nigerian universities for guidance and full compliance.”

The commission had, on March 19, ordered the closure of tertiary institutions for a month as part of the measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.