The National Association of Nigerian Students led by Comrade Sunday Asefon on Wednesday said that should the date of resumption of school be postponed from January 18th, that students all over the country will mobilize and fight against it.
This statement was made in a telephone interview session with The Punch and made available to All Over Poly.
According to him, the national body has ordered school chapters to set up COVID-19 taskforce team whose aim is to follow the guidelines spelt out by PTF COVID-19 to limit the spread of the virus and ensure safe school reopening and the safety of students.
He also posited that the academic environment is more orderly and hence the protocols for limiting the spread of the virus can be made possible.
These protocols include; the correct use of face masks, regular handwashing, and social distance practices.
Asefon said, “We want schools to resume on January 18. Schools are regimented environments and people will follow COVID-19 protocols more in schools than in their houses where there is no organisation. Schools are well-structured and lecturers will enforce social distancing and wearing of face masks in classes. It is strategic.
“We will fight against any further postponement. We have our way of doing things and we will make it known that we are against it.”
January makes it eleven months that Federal Universities have been shut down as a result of both COVID-19 and ASUU strike.
The Presidential task force on COVID-19 has asked schools to go on with the planned January 18th resumption date pending till when the Ministry of Education gives further directives.
Schools were asked to open on October 12th, six months after it was shut down due to COVID-19 but ASUU which went on strike before COVID continued their strike action until December 24th when they conditionally suspended the strike action which had lasted ten months.
Students were happy that at long last, they will resume academic activities after a tumultuous year only for their hope to be dashed to the floor with the constant back and forth concerning academic activities and school resumption.
ASUU opined that due to COVID-19, it is not safe for students and lecturers to return to the classrooms and hostels as they are always congested and social distancing will be difficult to achieve but the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta in a chat with Guardian said it has mischievous for ASUU to fight against January 18th resumption date as schools have put in place measures to safeguard the lives of both the students and staffs.
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is expected to brief Nigerian this Thursday and students are anxiously waiting.
Will the resumption be moved today or are we going back to school on January 18th, we will know today.
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