Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commenced a sensitization programme on COVID-19 for secondary school Principals, Vice-principals, Headteachers and Relevant Officers as part of efforts to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
The programme which is in collaboration with the Health Secretariat of the FCT focuses on Precautionary measures, other basic information on the COVID-19 pandemic and complying with the safety protocols for a conducive teaching and learning environment.
While flagging off the programme, the Permanent Secretary FCT, Mr Olusade Adesola, said the sensitization is heartwarming and timely as it will help enlighten the participants the more on the basic information about the pandemic.
He added that the programme will also enlighten them to take early precautionary measures stressing that, no stone should be left untouched amidst this second wave noting that gathering of people is a veritable ground for spread.
He expressed the Administration willingness to do all it could to nip the pandemic in the bud.
Olusade urged the participants to be attentive to the health experts and take whatever they have learnt back to their various Schools where they are expected to also teach their colleagues and be a good role model to emulate, commending them for their commitment in this last year reopening of Schools.
The Acting Secretary, Education Secretariat, Mallam Leramoh Abdulrazaq tasked the School authorities to be vigilant, taking adequate measures of checking Students, Staff and Visitors alike temperature and keeping monitoring and inspecting the School teaching and learning environment.
He explained that the sensitization among other programmes was approved by the Hon Minister for FCT, Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello to continuous to put everyone at alert.
He gave assurances that the Education Secretariat will continue to intensify efforts on the various activities-based program to ensure the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has no place in FCT Schools as they are keeping strategizing, being proactive and well prepared.
He appealed to them to comply totally to the safety protocols and School resumption guidelines in FCT.
He, therefore, commended the FCT Administration led by the Honourable Minister, FCT, Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello for the Administration concern for Education and always placing it in the front burner.
Various speakers who spoke from both education and health Secretariat at the programme which was conducted in seven centres in each Area council of the FCT said it is imperative to continue to create the needed awareness on the pandemic amidst the second wave particularly as the School resumes and face the new academic session without any distractions.
They said the sensitization programme will ensure the School authorities keep abreast of basic information about the ravaging pandemic and are well equipped to prevent it.
They said, all the provided items by the Administration should be put to use and adhere strictly to safety protocols of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The health experts unveiled the different ways in which it could be contacted, prevention and control to enjoy smooth academic activities.
They stated that the task of keeping safe is in the responsibility of all and should not be left in the hands of Government alone adding that, everyone is an enforcer of the Covid-19 Safety Protocols.
They reminded the Participants from the various Schools of the recent Presidential directives signed to sanction offenders stressing that, nothing should be taken for granted especially as the Students are already in a new academic session.
The sensitization program centres include Kwali, Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Karshi and ERC has all the management of Education Secretariat, School Principals, Vice Principals, Relevant Stakeholders, School Head and Teachers in attendance.
Zainab Sa’id
