The State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education confirmed the resumption date thereby putting an end to all forms of agitation among parents and guardians.
According to a statement by the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah, in Asaba, on Friday 15th January 2021, noted that public and private primary and secondary schools would resume classes on Monday, January 18, 2021.
The statement, which indicated that boarders are to return on Sunday, January 17, 2021, disclosed that the final decision was reached during a meeting between the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and Commissioners of Education from the 36 states of the country, labour unions, representatives of private schools and other critical stakeholders in Abuja.
Mr. Ukah said that all COVID-19 protocols put in place before the commencement of the 2020/2021 academic session in all schools in the state are to be strictly adhered to.
He reiterated that there must be temperature test at the point of entry into the schools, compulsory wearing of facemasks, regular washing of hands, use of hand sanitizers, ensure social distance and schools with large population of students are to continue to run the morning and afternoon shifts.
The statement, which stated that no pupils, students, teachers or visitors are to be allowed entry into any school without wearing facemasks, urged parents and guardians to strictly adhere to the new dates by preparing the pupils and students for school resumption, adding that resumption tests will take place on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education reminded pupils and students that the resumption test will be part of their second term continuous assessment.